MP for Okaikwei North urges women to ensure regular breast cancer screening to reduce the risk

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Okaikwei Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Hon Theresa Awuni has charged women in the constituency to ensure regular screening of breast cancer detect early symptoms.

According to her, breast cancer has become one of the dangerous killer diseases and women need regular screening and not to put off a mammogram.

Hon Theresa Awuni made the call when she organized free breast cancer screening for women within the Constituency last week in Accra.

over 500 women, both old and young turned at the free breast cancer screening sponsored by the MP.

“If you’re at higher risk, health experts say you should consult with your doctor. But the purpose of the screening is early detection when it’s more treatable at an earlier stage, so you can expect a better outcome the earlier we catch it,” said Hon Theresa.

She noted that early detection is the right step to make it as safe as possible, especially during the COVID-19, adding that women should not defer getting screened because of the pandemic.

She said the free screening is to help women who would ordinarily not be able to visit the health centre to be screened due to either cost or fear, saying, “a delay in diagnosis could result in more advanced disease and require more significant treatment.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death for women in the world. It is reported that every year, an average of 8,932 people are diagnosed and 1,768 die from breast cancer in Africa.

Women between 50 and 74-years-old are at average risk for breast cancer.

The month of October has been declared annually as Breast Cancer awareness month around the globe as part of measures to reduce the risk.