Breast cancer is on the rise in the Eastern Region as six to nine cases are suspected in rural communities weekly a senior surgeon at the Koforidua Central Hospital has revealed.
Dr. Forster Amponsah indicated that of 7,000 women screened between 2014 and 2017, a total of 120 tested positive of breast cancer, and are receiving treatment.
He gave the figures at the third annual breast cancer survivors’ day organised by the Judith Ellen Awuah-Darko (JEAD) Foundation to mark this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Judith Ellen Awuah Darko, is a victim of breast cancer who has dedicated herself to campaign to save other women from dying of breast cancer in the Eastern Region.
The 80-year-old was diagnosed of breast cancer 11 years ago and has over the period struggled financially to survive.
Her challenges inspired her to form the JEAD Foundation to reach out to more women to care for their breast.
On the occasion of ‘No Bra Day’ Friday, she led a breast cancer campaign walk through the New Juaben Municipality to create awareness.
Speaking at the event, Dr Amponsah said they detected early symptoms of breast cancer such as dimply of breast, axillary lymph node swelling, discharges from breast and breast ulcers in the 7,000 women screened.
This, he said, translates into an average of three out 10 women having the symptoms of breast cancer, which he said, is a worry to health professionals.
Dr. Amponsah underscored the need for women to look out for breast cancer risk factors, and to report same early as well as adhere to post surgical treatment.
Meanwhile, some breast cancer survivors who joined the walk shared their stories on how their cases were managed and encouraged others to seek early treatment.
They appealed to government to subsidize cost of treatment for breast cancer surgery.
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