A midwife at Manhyia District Hospital, Hajia Memuna Ezzedin Muntaka, has urged women and girls to examine their breasts regularly, saying early detection can improve the chances of successful breast cancer treatment.
She said recognising unusual changes quickly and seeking medical attention without delay were essential to reducing the risk of the disease becoming life-threatening.
Hajia Memuna, who is the wife of the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, made the comments at a breast cancer awareness programme at Serwaa Nyarko Girls Senior High School in Kumasi.
The event was organised by the MEM Roots of Vitality Foundation, which she founded. She spoke to students about possible warning signs and encouraged them to take responsibility for their health by carrying out regular self-examinations and consulting health professionals if they noticed anything unusual.
“I urge each and every one of us to do a self-breast examination frequently, at least once a month. You can take a few minutes of your time to examine your breast so that if you see any abnormality, it can be detected early enough for us to do something about it to save your life,” she said.
She also highlighted the role the students could play in sharing accurate health information with relatives and members of their communities.
“Whatever information they get here from what we discuss, they will be able to communicate it back home to our mothers, our fathers and our siblings. So, they are a good source of communicators,” she added.
Students who attended the programme said it had improved their understanding of breast cancer, including how to identify possible warning signs and the importance of telling a trusted adult or seeking medical help when changes were found.
Eunice, one of the students, said the session had shown her why breast examinations and prompt action were important.
“We also have to do breast examination to detect early symptoms and signs of breast cancer,” she said.
Another student, Beatrice, urged her classmates not to dismiss possible symptoms. She said they should inform a parent or guardian, or speak to a health professional, if they noticed changes in their breasts.
The students said they intended to pass the information on to their friends and families, helping to raise awareness and encourage people to seek medical care early.
The programme was sponsored by the MEM Roots of Vitality Foundation as part of its efforts to increase awareness of breast cancer and promote early detection among girls and women.
Health professionals advise anyone who develops a new lump, unusual swelling, changes in breast shape or skin, or abnormalities involving the nipple to seek medical assessment promptly.
Although such changes are not always signs of cancer, early evaluation remains important. The campaign also emphasised the need for continuing public education, accessible cancer services and collective action to improve outcomes for people affected by breast cancer.
