The Agortime-Ziope District Health Directorate, in partnership with World Vision, Compassion Ghana, and the National Health Insurance Scheme, has launched a breast cancer awareness campaign in the Agortime-Ziope district of Ghana. The campaign, which included a walk through the principal street of Agortime Kpetoe, aimed to educate residents on the importance of early detection and regular screening. The walk brought together representatives of various institutions, security services, students, health professionals, and community members.
According to Mr Emmanuel Ayamga Awine, the Agortime-Ziope District Director of Health Services, the activity formed part of efforts to educate the public on breast cancer and promote early detection to improve treatment outcomes. He noted that breast cancer remained a major public health concern, particularly among women, and stressed that early detection was essential for effective treatment and improved chances of survival.
The campaign walk was part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebrations and had brought together key stakeholders to undertake the walk through the town to sensitise residents and encourage them to seek screening services. Mr Awine explained that the Directorate had established screening points at selected locations to enable residents to access breast cancer screening and education beyond the awareness walk.
The screening exercise had commenced at a designated point at the Ghana Immigration Service facility, allowing officers, teachers, and residents in the surrounding communities to benefit from the exercise. The district health facility would also continue screening services for participants and other members of the public, with the activities scheduled to run until Saturday. Mr Awine encouraged residents to take advantage of the opportunity and make breast health screening a priority.
Ms Shine Gavey, the District Health Promotion Officer, described the campaign as successful, noting that various institutions, government departments, senior high school students, and community members participated in the exercise. She encouraged women to examine their breasts regularly, preferably after their monthly menstrual periods, and to seek medical attention whenever they noticed unusual changes.
Ms Gavey urged residents to watch out for warning signs, including lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in breast shape or appearance, inward-turning nipples, and unusual skin changes. She explained that such signs did not necessarily mean a person had cancer but required prompt assessment by a qualified health professional. She advised the public not to limit screening to October, which is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but to seek appropriate screening and medical advice throughout the year.
The Agortime-Ziope District Health Directorate said it would continue to work with its partners and community stakeholders to strengthen health education and promote early detection of breast cancer across the district. The Directorate had scheduled additional screening activities at the District Assembly, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division, and other institutions to extend the services to more people. Residents were called upon to visit nearby health facilities for screening and accurate information on breast cancer prevention, warning signs, and treatment.
Key points
- The Agortime-Ziope District Health Directorate has launched a breast cancer awareness campaign to educate residents on the importance of early detection and regular screening.
- The campaign included a walk through the principal street of Agortime Kpetoe and brought together representatives of various institutions, security services, students, health professionals, and community members.
- The Directorate has established screening points at selected locations to enable residents to access breast cancer screening and education beyond the awareness walk.
