The Asokwa Municipal Health Directorate has opened a dedicated breast cancer screening unit at the Nana Ama Serwaa Health Centre at Kaase, offering free screening services to women throughout October.
The initiative forms part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with health authorities urging women to prioritise early detection amid concerns over the increasing number of cases being diagnosed at advanced stages.
Municipal Director of Health Services, Faustina Osei Mensah, said women of reproductive age should make breast screening an annual routine.
“We are having a lot of people who are having breast cancer, and it’s deteriorating, and it’s increasing. So, we want to have early detection to get a good outcome of it,” she said.
She encouraged women to also conduct regular self-examinations after menstruation, while stressing the importance of professional screening at a health facility.
Project Director at Jhpiego, Dr Paa Kobina Forson, said breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Ghana, but late diagnosis continues to undermine treatment outcomes.
He said more than 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana are detected at Stages 3 or 4.
“These are late stages. And often, when it’s picked up late, management outcomes are very poor. If we are able to pick up women in Stage 1 and Stage 2, we have a good chance of ensuring that they survive, to take care of their family, to build our economy,” he said.
The campaign is also integrating cervical cancer screening, with health officials seeking to provide comprehensive services to women who visit health facilities.
Asokwa Municipal Chief Executive, Amoh Kamel, said the Nana Ama Serwaa Health Centre will serve as one of the screening points for women in the municipality and across the region.
“As an Assembly, we are working with the health directorate to strengthen primary healthcare, particularly in the prevention and early treatment of breast and cervical cancer”.
The Kaasehene, Nana Mensah Bonsu, also urged women to prioritise their health over wealth by going for regular breast cancer screening.
Health authorities are encouraging women to take advantage of the free screening services throughout October, stressing that early detection can mean earlier treatment and a better chance of survival.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
