A Midwife at the Manhyia District Hospital in the Ashanti Region, Ezzedin Memuna, has underscored the need for both men and women to regularly self-examine their breasts.
This, she said, would enable them to detect any abnormalities in the breast or early symptoms of breast cancer, allowing them to seek immediate medical attention.
“I wish to urge the general public to take within two to five minutes of their time monthly to regularly do self-breast examination for them to be able to detect any abnormality in order to receive the needed medical help”, she stressed.
Free screening
She gave the advice during a free breast screening exercise organised by Prudential Bank Limited on its Aboabo premises in the Asokore Mampong Municipality last Thursday.
“You just stand in front of a mirror with one hand raised while using the other hand to palpate or massage the breast to see if there is a lump or anything, just for your own good”, she pointed out.
Take advantage
To complement the self-breast examination, she further entreated them to take advantage of free breast screening events organised by organisations and individuals to get their breasts examined by, especially, health experts.
“I wish to entreat people to get screened when such exercises are brought closer to them within their communities”, she stated
She said, “Someone who has the symptoms might be lucky that it will be detected during such screening exercises, which will pave the way for such a person to receive medical care early enough”.
Caution
She cautioned people against the intake of alcohol, cigarettes and other illicit drugs as these exposed them to breast cancer.
Further, she told those with a family history of cancer to undergo regular screening exercises to ensure that they were not susceptible to the disease.
Social responsibility
The Head, Public Relations, Prudential Bank Limited, Bennet Frimpong, said the event formed part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility of giving back to the community within which it operated over the years.
He stated that one key intervention to save the lives of people was the early detection of symptoms of breast cancer and added that the location, which is largely dominated by women, was uniquely chosen since many of them who were in business do not have the time to go to facilities to get checked.
“As a bank, we thought it wise to shoulder the cost and also bring the hospital closer to them so that they just walk in to get screened.
This is to show them that we are truly part of them in the society,” he stated.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.
