About 70 women and a man benefited from a free breast cancer screening exercise at The Trust Hospital’s Osu branch on Saturday in Accra.
The five-hour event, held under the theme “Health is Wealth,” forms part of the 100 Black Men of Ghana’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month programme.
The screening was hosted by Maurice Cheetham, CEO of Diaspora Bridge Consulting, who is considering a bid for the presidency of 100 Black Men of Ghana.
He was joined by the Adontemhene of Osu, Nii Nortey Nsuro Oquaye, who was among the key traditional leaders who played various roles to ensure the success of the programme.
Medical officers from The Trust Hospital conducted the screenings.
The event was supported by Diaspora Bridge Consulting, Jaleaa and Duncan’s as partners and sponsors.
Beyond the health checks, the day was also family-friendly. Nii Nortey Oquaye donated a bouncy castle, which kept children entertained while their parents were being screened.
The turnout was significant as breast cancer remains a major public health challenge in Ghana.
Breast cancer is the country’s most common cancer among cancer-related diseases. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Ghana recorded 5,026 new cases and 2,369 deaths.
At the national launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this year, an oncologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mary-Ann Dazie, puts the national burden at more than 5,000 cases and 2,695 deaths annually.
Health officials say over 80 percent of cases in Ghana are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment is more difficult, more expensive and survival rates are lower. Experts also note that most women diagnosed have no family history of the disease, making regular screening essential for all women.
Mr Cheetham said initiatives like the free screening should not be limited to awareness months but should run throughout the year to encourage early detection and save lives.
He disclosed that his team is preparing to consult with members of the diaspora who want to invest and give back to Ghana this December.
They announced that the next health outreach too will be held in Osu in partnership with Top Up Pharmacy at its new Osu branch opposite the Osu.
Nii Nortey Nsuro Oquaye said he is committed to building lasting relationships with the people of Osu to serve and protect the community.