Ernestina Akwaboah

 St Michael’s Specialist Hospital (SMSH), an Accra based private health facility on Sunday or­ganised a breast screening exercise for members of the Liberty Centre Assemblies of God (A/G) Church.

The exercise saw about 100 women of the church having their breasts examined while educating them on breast cancer, its symp­toms, treatment and other rele­vant aspects.

Speaking to The Spectator during the exercise, a lead nurse at the hospital, Ernestina Ewura­ma Benewaa Akwaboah said the exercise was aimed at sensitising women about the disease and dis­pel myths concerning the disease.

She said the exercise was to help identify masses, lumps and changes in the breast or skin and refer them to the appropriate fa­cility for further management.

She said fear was a major reason most women refuse to have their breasts screened or exam­ined, adding that “they think when they come and it is detected they have the disease, they will die.”

Ms Akwaboah also mentioned that family history also prevents women from having their breast screened or examined, explaining that some families have a his­tory with the disease and for that reason, women in the family refuse to go for checkups, fearing they might be diagnosed.

She, therefore, urged all wom­en to have their breast screened and also take advantage of free screening exercises.

Ms Akwaboah said early de­tection was key in preserving the breast and encouraged women to examine themselves regularly.

 By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu