The Royal Ladies Ministry, the women’s division of Royalhouse Chapel International (RCI), Immanuel Temple, East Legon, has organised a breast cancer education and screening to encourage early detection and prevention among both women and men in the church.
The event, held on the church premises, was part of the ministry’s annual health awareness campaign.
It included health talks, demonstrations on self-examination, free medical screening, among other activities.
The President of the Royal Ladies Ministry at Immanuel Temple, Theresa Dela Amanor, stated that the initiative aligns with the global campaign against breast cancer and was inspired by the vision of Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah and his wife, Apostle Rita Korankye Ankrah.
“Our mother, Apostle Rita Korankye Ankrah, has always led the campaign for awareness, and we are following in her footsteps. Early detection saves lives, and that is what we are here to promote,” Rev. Elect Amanor added.
She emphasised that the church’s role went beyond prayer to include education and practical health support.
“Some people believe that when they find a lump, they should only pray about it or use traditional means,” she noted. “But Jesus emphasised that ‘The sick need a physician.’ So, it is not wrong to go to the hospital for proper medical attention.”
Medical attention
Rev. Elect Mrs Amanor also explained that the programme was to dispel myths surrounding breast cancer, including fears of stigma and the misconception that the disease is purely spiritual.
"As the Bible advises, ‘watch and pray.’ Let’s prioritise our health by being vigilant and proactive.
When we notice any issues, let’s combine prayer with medical attention. Faith and action go hand in hand,” she added.
A final-year Resident Physician in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Efua Antwiwaa Thompson, who led the medical screening team, underscored the importance of early diagnosis.
“Breast cancer is a tumour or abnormal growth in the breast that becomes cancerous and can cause serious health complications if not detected early,” she explained.
“Our goal is to create awareness in churches, workplaces, and communities because early detection saves lives,” she added.
Dr Thompson stated that delayed detection often allowed the disease to spread to vital organs such as the lungs, liver, spine, and stomach, making treatment more difficult.
The event also provided free prostate cancer screenings for men.
Sonographer Eric Saka Boateng from Royal Medical Diagnostics, Korle Bu, advised men over 40 to have annual prostate checks, explaining that the condition often shows no early symptoms.
“Prostate cancer in its early stages does not have any symptoms at all.
By the time signs appear, it might already be advanced,” he said.
