General News of Friday, 21 March 2014

Source: Al-Hajj

Ghana is 10th cancer prone nation in africa

-Dr. Beatrice Wiafe.

A renowned Researcher, General Surgeon and Consultant Breast Surgeon, Dr. (Mrs)Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has expressed worry over Ghana's placement in the first ten position of cancer prone nation in Africa, which she said was unacceptable.

She said although deaths through cancer have surpassed the deaths as a result of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined; it has not received the needed maximum attention.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, a Council Member of the African Organization of Research and Treatment In Cancer(AORTIC),and the President of Breast Care International (BCI) Ghana, a breast cancer awareness creation, diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation, Non-Governmental Organization(NGO),announced this after the Ladies Club of Golden Star Resources Limited(Wassa and Bogoso) a gold mining company operating in the Western Region, presented her Organization with a cheque of GHC13,000 to support her activities.

The presentation was part activities marking this year’s International Women's Day(IWD),celebration at Takoradi.

She "the fact that Ghana is placed among the first ten in Africa and with youth now falling prey to the disease makes it a bad news that calls for a concerted action to tackle breast cancer."

Dr.Wiafe Addai, is the Chief Executive Officer(CEO)of Peace and Love Hospitals in Accra and Kumasi, argued that previously held misconceptions that breast cancer is a "White man's" disease is no longer terrible as well all manner of persons are susceptible to the disease, which has assumed alarming dimension in Africa.

She identified some barriers mitigating the rapid spread of cancer as lack of awareness, high cost of treatment, lack of access of healthcare centers and lack of spousal support and counseling.

The Chairperson of Golden Star Bogoso Ladies Club, Ms. Doris Dery, who presented the cheque, noted that the two ladies' Clubs at Bogoso and Wassa, believed that women were agents of change.

"We are joining the millions of women across the globe to celebrate the day." She added. Ms. Dery mentioned that in view of the startling statistics on breast cancer in Ghana, and the successes chalked in the treatment of the disease, the Ladies of the mining company made it their prime goal to champion the campaign breast cancer prevention.

Dr. Wiafe Addai, who received the cheque on behalf of BCI, commended the Ladies Club of Golden Star Resources Limited (Wassa and Bogoso),for their kind donation, and appealed to individuals and organization to support to create awareness of breast cancer disease in the country. END.