The Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church, in Takoradi has organised a health screening exercise for the parishioners.

The exercise is organised annually by the Church to help members to know their health status.

About 500 parishioners were screened of malaria, hepatitis B, diabetes and BP whilst 11 were diagnosed with breast cancer.

Fifty others who were diagnosed with other diseases were referred to health facilities.

The Head of the Parish Council and also the Head of the Medical Service at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority in Takoradi, Dr Bernard Boateng-Duah who was the leader of the medical team, said the church organises health talks to educate the members on how to avoid diseases.

This year the focus was on breast cancer, hence the invitation of Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, CEO of the Breast Care international, to educate the members on the symptoms, signs and care of breast cancer.

Dr Boating-Duah encouraged Ghanaians to go for checkups frequently and to self examine their breasts as well.

Dr Wiafe-Addai said women could get breast cancer and survive it if it is detected early.

She said there is the need to reduce morbidity and mortality of the disease, adding: “When women are prevented from contracting breast cancer, it would help reduce poverty.

Some members of the church from the northern part of the country who participated in the programme urged Breast Care International to extend the awareness programmes to them.

This is because the programme is concentrated at the southern part.