The Queen Mother of Toase Traditional Area, Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu, has charged Ghanaian women to prioritize regular breast examination, stressing that early detection remains the most effective tool for the proper treatment and cure of breast cancer.
Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu made the call when she hosted a joint Free Breast Screening exercise at Yim Awere Ababio Dwabrem inside toase in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The health outreach was organized by the Breast Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) under the auspices of Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu, Toasehemaa, in collaboration with Oheneyere Adoma Akosua, Nkawiehemaa.
The exercise was held under the theme: “United for a Breast Cancer-Free Ghana: Early Detection, Early Action, Better Outcome.”
Addressing a large gathering of women, health workers, traditional leaders and community members who turned up for the screening, the Toasehemaa emphasized that women remain the most vulnerable group when it comes to breast cancer, yet many continue to ignore early warning signs until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
According to her, breast cancer is no longer a death sentence if detected early and treated promptly by qualified health professionals.
“Women are highly much victims in terms of breast cancer. But the good news is that when you detect it early, it can be cured properly. That is why we must all make it a habit to check our breasts regularly,” Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu told the gathering.
She urged women not to feel shy or afraid to seek medical attention when they notice any unusual changes in their breasts, such as lumps, swelling, pain, or discharge, adding that silence and self-medication have cost many women their lives.
The Toasehemaa further called on husbands, families and community leaders to support women in accessing regular health screening and to help demystify misconceptions surrounding breast cancer treatment.
On her part, Oheneyere Adoma Akosua, Nkawiehemaa, commended the Breast Care Unit of KATH for extending their services to the grassroots and appealed to women in the Atwima Nwabiagya enclave to take advantage of such free health interventions.
Marian Osei Bonsu, Cheif Nursing Officer ( CNO ) the leader of the medical team from the Breast Care Unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital educated participants on how to perform self-breast examination at home, risk factors associated with breast cancer, and the importance of regular clinical screening.
The team also screened hundreds of women free of charge, provided counselling, and referred those with suspicious findings for further evaluation and management at KATH.
Beneficiaries of the exercise expressed gratitude to Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu and Oheneyere Adoma Akosua for their leadership and concern for women’s health, describing the initiative as timely and life-saving.
The free breast screening forms part of activities by the two Queen Mothers to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to contribute to the national campaign for a breast cancer-free Ghana.
