Breast care international calls for year-round breast cancer awareness, not just in October

The Breast Care International (BCI) has urged the public, corporate Ghana, and state institutions to extend breast cancer education and awareness campaigns beyond October, saying breast cancer “does not only strike in October.”

Speaking to JoyNews during a sensitisation event at the Ghana School of Law, President of BCI, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, stressed that year-round awareness is essential to saving lives through early detection and timely treatment.

“I call such organisations ‘mushroom organisations’ because right after October, they all go to sleep. Breast cancer is not an October disease — it can strike any day. According to our data, every day in Ghana, more than six women die from breast cancer,” she said.

Dr Wiafe-Addai warned that the focus on breast cancer awareness only during October — marked globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — undermines progress made in fighting the disease. She said consistent education throughout the year would encourage women to screen regularly and seek medical care early.

The BCI President also appealed to the government to equip all regional hospitals with mammography machines, noting that many women are unable to access screening services due to limited facilities outside major cities.

“If we provide mammography machines for all regional hospitals, women will not have to travel long distances to the cities for a mammogram. This simple machine can save many lives,” she added.

President of the Ghana School of Law, Nana Opoku Ware, said the collaboration with BCI formed part of efforts to promote health awareness among students and staff.

“We believe awareness is key, and we want our students to understand that early detection can make the difference between life and death,” he said.

BCI also held a similar sensitisation programme at Federated Commodities Limited (FEDCO) to educate workers about breast cancer prevention and early detection. Managing Director, Hajia Maria Adamu Zibo, said the company’s partnership with BCI reflects its commitment to employee well-being and productivity.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, BCI is calling on all stakeholders — from government agencies to private organisations — to sustain breast health education and screening activities throughout the year to reduce the rising number of cases and fatalities in Ghana.

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