Accra: The queenmother of the Duong Traditional Area in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, Pognaa Rosemary Bangzie Mumwilma, has described breast cancer as an alarming and ‘destructive menace’ requiring urgent national attention.
According to Ghana News Agency, Pognaa Mumwilma emphasized the detrimental impact breast cancer has on women and the economy, impeding the achievement of some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She urged for collective efforts to combat the disease, calling upon the government, the Ghana Health Service, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and individuals to unite in the fight against breast cancer.
“This is the time for us all to come together to support, educate, and take prudent actions, knowing that breast cancer is real,” she stated. “But when it is detected early, it can be treated, and lives can be saved.” The queenmother highlighted the importance of spreading the message that breast cancer is not a death sentence, stressing that early detection and treatment are crucial for survival.
Pognaa Mumwilma noted that breast cancer has become a developmental challenge, particularly affecting women in the workforce and the economy. She urged responsible institutions to make breast cancer awareness a daily dialogue. She asserted that incorporating breast cancer sensitization into everyday conversations would significantly enhance efforts to combat the disease.
The queenmother advocated for proper education, intensified public awareness campaigns, regular screenings, self-examinations, and mammograms, along with expanded support services to save lives. She warned the public against ignoring information about breast cancer, emphasizing that neglecting the disease without taking precautions could lead to fatal outcomes.
“I urge everyone, particularly women, to avail themselves for testing, especially the mammogram for those who are 40 and above, for early detection and prompt treatment to save their lives,” she advised. She cautioned against using herbal medicine for potential breast cancer treatment, highlighting the risks of such actions leading to preventable deaths.
Pognaa Mumwilma also advised women to avoid alcoholism, drug abuse, and excessive use of contraceptive pills, which, according to her, could make them more susceptible to the disease. She stressed that breast cancer had evolved from a public health issue into a developmental challenge, adversely affecting the Ghanaian economy, as many women in the workforce were diagnosed with the disease.
The queenmother urged the government to allocate resources to support breast cancer victims in underserved communities, noting that many victims in these areas could not afford treatment due to its high costs, resulting in the loss of lives.