More than 10,000 residents of the Savelugu Municipality in the Northern Region have benefited from a free breast cancer screening exercise as part of efforts to promote early detection and save lives.
The beneficiaries were also sensitised to the common risk factors associated with breast cancer, lifestyle influences and regular medical check-ups.
The exercise, which targeted women across hard-to-reachhe communities, was organised by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Fatahiya Abdul Aziz, in collaboration with the Frontier Nurses Foundation, on the theme: “Know your normal, early detection saves lives.”
Some of the beneficiaries who were diagnosed with suspected cases were counselled and referred to various health facilities for further assessment and treatment.
To ensure maximum participation, the municipality was divided into four operational zones — Savelugu, Pong-Tamale, Diare and Muglaar— to enable health professionals to reach women in remote areas who often faced challenges in accessing healthcare.
Speaking at the event, Hajia Aziz said the initiative formed part of her commitment to improve the well-being of the residents, particularly women in rural areas who had little knowledge about the condition.
She said sustained awareness creation, regular screening, advocacy and community support were very crucial for fighting breast cancer.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but our efforts must go beyond just one month. We need continuous education on how people can take proper care of their health, especially their breasts,” she said.
She added that future interventions would also target other pressing health concerns in the municipality, stressing that breast cancer was only one of several health challenges confronting residents.
Hajia Aziz pledged her commitment to sustain and expand the initiative to ensure that more women benefited from it.
Self-Examination
For her part, the Executive Director of the Frontier Nurses Foundation, Zenab Alhassan, underscored the need for regular self-breast examination and early hospital visits when abnormalities are detected.
She advised women to look out for changes such as lumps, unusual discharge, changes in breast size or shape, and persistent breast pain.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the Daily Graphic expressed gratitude to the MP for the initiative, saying the education and screening had increased their confidence and awareness about their health.
Writer’s email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh
