The one- day event held at the UniMAC South Legon campus, was to create awareness on the need for early examination, detection and treatment of breast cancer in both men and women.
The month of October is commemorated annually as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide. According to Statista.com, Ghana has seen a 60 percent increase in cancer cases between 2008 to 2022, resulting in an estimated 27,400 diagnoses.
Dr. Mary Ayim-Segbefia, the Women’s Executive Officer of UTAG – UniMAC branch, described the initiative as laudable in identifying early symptoms of possible breast cancers in Ghana. She added that, “the initiative has afforded lecturers to take some time off to examine their breasts, thereby priortising their health. It is also a way of actively participating in the annual pink October month”.
A medical team from the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital led by Abigail Olympio-Peku, an Oncology nurse specialist, department of surgery, provided education on breast cancer symptoms, preventive measures and dispelled common myths surrounding the disease.
In her presentation, Madam Abigail gave an in-depth explanation of the signs, types, and possible cure for the breast cancer disease, as she used pictures and videos to support her presentation.
She urged the attendees to examine their breasts at least once in every month and not wait for only the month of October. “Make it a point to examine yourself as many times you can through out the year”, she added.
The Participants were also taken through a Question and Answer session which was followed by a free breast screening.
Grace, an attendee of the program shared her excitement about the initiative of the UniMAC UTAG executives. “I got the opportunity to be examined by a medical expert for free, thanks to the executives of UniMAC UTAG. God bless them and they should keep doing this”, she said.
The program brought together participants including lecturers, administrators, students, and the media.
Story by Amponsah Kwaku Yeboah
UniMAC-IFT