Fear, stigmatisation, high patronage of herbal concoction and over-reliance on prayer centres had accounted for the delay in reporting breast cancer cases for prompt medical attention.

Due to the delay, the breasts of most patients had to be removed in order to save their lives.

Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Breast Care International, made this known at a day’s free breast cancer education and screening exercise organised for women within the Chirano, Akoti-Etwebo and Paboase catchment area of Chirano Gold Mines Limited (CGML) on Monday.

The exercise which was sponsored by CGML formed part of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the company.

Dr Addai said all women are prone to breast cancer but early detection could prevent the removal of the affected breast.

“Many women who have even had one of their breast removed due to breast cancer can still survive and live a very successful and meaningful life, but this calls for early diagnosis and detection,” she added.

Dr Addai said though some men could contract breast cancer, it mostly affected women from 12 years upwards.

She explained that the disease is not hereditary.

She appealed to all women to regularly examine their breast and report any symptoms to the nearest health facility.

“Breast cancer is painless and many women can live with it for years without detection and could affect the brain, lung, liver and bones.”

Nana Frimpong Manso, Chief of Paboase noted that breast cancer is posing a serious challenge to women worldwide and all efforts should be made to increase sensitisation about the disease.

Mr Stephen W. K. Mensah, Community Relations Superintendent of CGML Observed that women and children have been identified as the vulnerable group in society and yet their health needs are mostly ignored.

He asked beneficiaries of the screening exercise to pass on the knowledge they have acquired about breast cancer to their peers and children.