Asa Savings and Loans Limited has organized a breast cancer screening exercise in Kasoa, in the Awutu Senya East Municipality.
The exercise, which saw mostly market women taking part, was also used to educate them on how to perform self-examination for early detection.
Staff of the company, together with medical officers from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, interacted with the market women, explaining the signs to look out for to determine if one has contracted breast cancer.
Speaking to Citi News, Dr. Edwin Essel of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital indicated that the initiative by institutions such as Asa Savings and Loans Limited will help dispel the notion that breast cancer is only prevalent among older generations, as the savings and loans company is actively engaged in educational efforts.
He mentioned that although cancer is more common among older women, it is now affecting younger generations as well, hence the need for education.
“The notion that cancer is mostly associated with the older generation is gradually changing, with breast cancer even affecting men, albeit less commonly. I encourage them to get tested to be on the safer side. Self-breast examination is crucial, and I would encourage women to continue doing it even after we test them here,” Dr. Edwin Essel of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital told Citi News.
Meanwhile, the market women were screened for breast cancer while the education campaign continued.
The Acting Deputy Director for the Medical Outpatient Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Regina Mireku, stressed that signs such as changes in the colour, size, and pigmentation of the breasts’ skin should be monitored, and any changes should be reported immediately to a medical facility for further treatment.
“Breast cancer can spread to other organs, so early detection and treatment are essential. Although there are exceptional cases of hereditary breast cancer, they are relatively rare,” the Acting Deputy Director for the Medical Outpatient Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital said.
The management of Asa Savings and Loans Limited noted that the exercise is part of their commitment to giving back to society, and many more communities have benefited from their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Mohammed Serazus Sieathin, Divisional Manager for the Accra West branch of the company, informed Citi News that their organization is not only involved in breast cancer screening but also engaged in other charitable activities.
“Asa Savings and Loans Limited is not only conducting breast cancer screenings in Kasoa but also in the Regional Capital, Cape Coast, where women are being screened,” Divisional Manager for Accra West, Mohammed Serazus Sieathin, told Citi News.
Cape Coast: Breast Cancer Demands Critical Attention – Branch Manager Asa Savings and Loans
In Cape Coast, the Savings and Loans company held a similar exercise where residents in the Regional Capital took their turns to get screened.
The Branch Manager for the savings and loans company, Francis Nkansah Boakye, emphasized that it is time to give breast cancer the same attention as other diseases, as this will help raise awareness about the disease.
“A lot of attention is given to many diseases, but if we want to combat this menace, we must prioritize it just like we do with other diseases,” Branch Manager Francis Nkansah Boakye noted.
Hundreds of residents took their turns to get screened for the disease while they were also educated on how to perform self-testing.