Juaso (Ash), Oct. 22, GNA- The fight against breast cancer begins with the individual's initiative to examine herself on regular basis, Ms Alberta Dela of the Cancer Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, has stated. She said early detection is critical to the fight against the disease and advised women to frequently examine their breasts as a means of prevention.

Ms Dela was speaking at a District Forum to sensitise women on the effects of breast and cervical cancer as well as their rights to sexual reproductive health at Juaso in the Asante Akim South District. The forum, which was organised by the Department of Women under the auspices of the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs, was sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund. The participants were educated on the effects of breast and cervical cancer, gender-based violence issues and sexual reproductive and maternal health rights.

Ms Dela entreated women to report any changes in their breasts to the nearest health facility for professional care but desist from self-medication.

She said though the cause of cancer was yet to be identified, women beginning their menopause and those who give birth after 35 years were more likely to be at risk and urged such women to avail themselves of breast screening regularly.

While commending the government for including breast and cervical cancer in ailments covered by the National Health Insurance, Miss Dela said it was imperative to include other forms of cancers because their treatments were very expensive. Mrs. Augustina Gyamfi, the Acting Ashanti Regional Director of Department of Women, in a presentation on gender-based violence, condemned the alarming rate of abuse against women and children in the home. She also spoke against the increasing rate of human trafficking, which most often involves children and called for stiffer punishment to deter perpetrators 22 Oct. 22