FirstBank Ghana observes Pink October to raise breast cancer awareness

FirstBank Ghana has organised a breast cancer awareness celebration programme for its staff as part of the observation of this year's Pink October.

The celebration is aimed at educating, encouraging screening and promoting early treatment to draw attention to breast cancer and the challenges it poses to society.

The theme for this year's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, "No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone."

Dr Benjamin Sena Fenu, a specialist surgeon from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who educated the participants, emphasised the importance of regular check-ups and self-examinations, explaining, “breast cancer is a disease where abnormal breast cells grow out of control.

He said, “early detection and prompt treatment are key to saving lives.”

Dr Fenu also touched on the various causes of breast cancer, which included excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, hereditary factors, early menstruation and late menopause.

Testimony

The event featured a moving testimony from Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, a licensed counsellor and Executive Secretary of the Breast Society of Ghana, who shared her journey as a breast cancer survivor.

Her story of resilience and strength resonated with the audience, as she urged them to have open and frank discussions, saying “we must talk about breast cancer openly. It’s not just a statistic; it affects real lives.”

Mrs Kumah-Dzagah highlighted the importance of family support and the resources provided by the Breast Society of Ghana to those battling the disease.

The chairperson of the FirstBank’s Women Network, Grace Isaac-Aryee, reiterated the importance of acting as a support system for those affected by breast cancer.

She emphasised, “as we raise awareness and fight against breast cancer, we must encourage everyone to get screened because early detection saves lives. Today’s event is not just about wearing pink, it is about taking action and getting yourself examined.”

The event concluded with an interactive session where common misconceptions about breast cancer were addressed, questions about treatment options were answered and advice on how to support loved ones facing breast cancer was provided.