In Ghana numerous lives have been lost as a result of breast cancer, a debilitating disease that affects the breast of mostly women.

The high rate of death resulting from breast cancer has been attributed mainly to ignorance and delay in reporting the health condition to health facilities for treatment.

More so, another factor hindering the fight against this dangerous disease is the misconception by some people who believed that being diagnosed with breast cancer is tantamount to death.

As part of efforts to help fight the disease in the country, Abena Tay Ministries/Daughters Ministries in collaboration with Breast Care International (BCI) took a giant step by organizing a programme dubbed: “Pink Market Day”. The event which took place in Accra, at Tema Station was aimed at creating awareness on breast cancer and other ailments that affect women.

Speaking at the event, Lady Rev. Dr Abena Tay, said their motive is to help eradicate the disease which has been claiming innocent lives in the country. “It is in this regard, we combined efforts to help sensitize the general public against diseases such as breast cancer.

We are expecting over 500 women to undergo the screening exercise and expecting some dignitaries to grace this special occasion, not forgetting breast cancer is a public health concern,” she added.

She also entreated corporate organisations and groups to attach the needed attention and commitment to the fight against breast cancer to ensure primary prevention

On the 27th October 2018, we shall climax the event by bringing all women together to worship at The National Theatre in Accra at 3PM with some anointed minstrels like Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Cece Twum, Celestine Donkor, Kekeli, Becky Bonney, leading us and bringing us to God’s throneroom of Grace.

The Chavvah Award will also be presented to certain women who have chalked success and been of immense positive impact to womankind over the years. Dr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of BCI and CEO of Peace and Love hospitals, hinted that as at now the disease had no known cause.

This she said, early detection was key to treatment and cure, and warned that “delay in diagnosis and subsequent treatment could have catastrophic results”. Dr Wiafe Addai spoke on the signs, symptoms, risk factors, and methods of investigation and the available treatment options for breast cancer. She also demonstrated to the women proper ways of performing self -breast examination.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast – the most common first sign.

Also the woman would usually find the lump in the armpit (axilla), changes in breast shape or size, skin changes and nipple changes, she said. Some breast cancer survivors also shared their experiences on breast cancer, and urged all women to be conscious of breast cancer and not be scared.

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Lady Rev. Dr. Abena Tay is the President and founder of the Abena Tay Ministries (ATM) of which Daughson Ministries (DSMI), Daughters Ministries (DMI), Child in Need (CIN) Foundation and Telling The Next Generation (TTNG) are subsidiaries to.

She is the proprietress of Sensels School which is based in Taifa, Accra. She is a product of St. Roses Secondary School, Woolwich College in UK, University of Ghana, Legon and International Theological Seminary.

Lady Rev. Dr. Abena Tay is a UN Ambassador of Peace with an Ambassador for Peace Award from the Universal Peace Federation.

She is also a licensed Counselor for HIV and AIDS, mentor, conference speaker, philanthropist and a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ as well as founder of about four foundations and international network groups.

She was adorned with the Elite Woman in Ministry Award in Texas; Woman of Excellence Award in Florida by La Expose. She was also awarded with an African Humanitarian Award for Leadership and Women Empowerment by the Shepherd to Shepherd Network of Clergy, amongst others.

BCI LEADER:

Dr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of BCI and CEO of Peace and Love hospitals in Ghana has practiced medicine for over 28 years to date.

A notable breast cancer surgeon and an advocate for women, Dr. Wiafe Addai has for over two decades been part of international research into breast cancer.

She has over two decades been involved in outdoor and community based sensitization initiatives to educate the public about breast cancer.

A member of the World Cancer Union, Dr Wiafe-Addai is a notable humanitarian, philanthropist, conference speaker and cancer surgeon.

She has received countless awards with the famous ones being the ones she received from the National Health Insurance Authority, Female Entrepreneurs Group in Africa, the BIZZ Group Legend Award from Miami, USA and many others.