More than 350 women received free breast cancer screening during a health outreach held in Accra on Saturday, organised by Dorothy’s Hope Foundation (DHF) to mark its 11th anniversary.
The initiative, held in collaboration with St Michael Hospital, formed part of this year’s Pink October campaign, which included a large awareness walk from the Cantonments Post Office to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
Speaking at the gathering in Accra on Wednesday, the founder of the foundation, Ms Dorothy Amuah, a 20-year breast cancer survivor, urged both women and men to take screening seriously, stressing that early detection can save lives.
“Breast cancer is not a death sentence. If it is detected early, it can be treated effectively,” she said. “We walk to honour those we’ve lost, support those still fighting, and break the myths surrounding the disease.”
She added that she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 but, with consistent medical treatment, she was able to overcome the disease.
“I am a survivor. I survived, so can you,” she said, stressing that breast cancer is not as deadly as society has portrayed.
Also speaking, the founder of Weinglo Family International, Gloria Boatemaa Andoh, highlighted the strong link between physical illness and mental health struggles.
“We know that illness is also one of the things that stresses our minds and affects our mental health,” she said. “So today, we are here to engage women on how to build resilience.”
The collaboration centred on encouraging breast cancer patients and survivors to maintain hope and seek support rather than giving in to despair.
Ms Andoh emphasised that diagnosis does not mark the end of life, pointing to Dorothy, a breast cancer survivor and founder of the Dorothy’s Hope Foundation, as a powerful example of hope and recovery.
“Dorothy is a survivor, and she’s living,” she said. “The fact that you’ve been diagnosed by a doctor does not mean it’s the end of the world.”
She revealed that the Foundation is prepared to offer financial support to women diagnosed with the disease, continuing efforts that helped several patients last year.
She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting patients emotionally, medically, and financially.
“Our goal is to remind women that a breast cancer diagnosis is not the end — there is help, support, and hope,” she said, urging regular checkups and public education to improve early detection rates.
BY RAYMOND APPIAH-AMPONSAH
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