Women have been asked not to dismiss painless lumps in the breast, as the absence of pain does not mean a lump is harmless.

A Specialist Radiation Oncologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Mary Ann Dadzie, said women should seek medical attention promptly whenever they noticed any unusual changes in the breast.

“A painless lump is not a harmless lump. You need to take action and not wait for pain,” she said.

Dr Dadzie made the call at the 2026 national launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held on the theme, “early action, better outcomes.”

She expressed concern that about 45 per cent of breast cancer patients seen at Korle-Bu failed to return after starting treatment.

According to her, some patients began treatment but later stopped reporting to the hospital, leaving health professionals uncertain about their wellbeing.

She attributed the situation to several factors, including fear of death, financial difficulties, long distances to health facilities, lack of time and stigma.

Dr Dadzie urged women to know their breasts and seek medical attention within two weeks of noticing any abnormality.

She said warning signs could include a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge and changes in the skin, including redness, sores or an orange-peel appearance.

She cautioned women not to assume they were safe simply because they had no family history of breast cancer, explaining that only about five to 10 per cent of women with the disease had a familial or genetic mutation.

Dr Dadzie encouraged women to undergo regular clinical breast examinations and discuss appropriate screening options, including mammography and ultrasound, with health professionals.

She also called on families, particularly husbands and partners, to support women who needed breast examinations or treatment.

“Home is where the support begins,” she said, urging families to provide practical assistance such as transportation and childcare.

Dr Dadzie further appealed for breast cancer services to be brought closer to communities through increased access to mammography, ultrasound and biopsy services, as well as the training of more health professionals.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu- Danquah, said breast cancer remained a major health concern among women in Ghana, with an estimated 4,650 new cases and about 2,060 deaths recorded annually.

She said Ghana’s breast cancer response focused on prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment and compassionate care.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the country was working to strengthen awareness, clinical breast examinations, referral systems, pathology and diagnostic services to improve breast cancer outcomes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Joana Ansong, said too many women continued to present with advanced breast cancer, resulting in avoidable suffering and deaths.

She called for stronger health education, timely diagnosis, rapid referral and equitable access to comprehensive treatment and support.

Dr Ansong said breast cancer awareness should move beyond campaigns to sustained action involving government, communities, health professionals, civil society organisations, the private sector and families.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

Authorities of Percheyire R/C Basic School in the Yilo Krobo district of the Eastern Region are concerned about the safety of teachers and leaners of the school as it appears reports of the condition of the structure have fallen on deaf ears.

The ramshackle classroom structure looks like one that could cave-in in the case of a heavy storm and according to the teachers, teaching and learning become impossible when the rains set in.

The structure, which accommodates pupils from Primary four to six, has worn-out roofing sheets, mud walls and sections supported by wood used as pillars.

A teacher of the school, who requested anonymity, told The Spectator in an interview that the situation was particularly difficult during the rainy season.

“When it rains, it means teaching and learning would come to an end,” he said.

He explained that the challenge affected only the upper primary section, as pupils from Kindergarten to Primary three were housed in a relatively better block. 

The teacher mentioned that about 30 pupils from primary four to six currently use the dilapidated structure, but expressed grave concern about its condition.

He noted, however, that the safety of the pupils, their furniture and books remained a concern, particularly during heavy rains.

He said the situation had been reported to the relevant authorities and was hopeful that the structure would eventually be reconstructed.

According to him, authorities had visited the school and indicated that work would be undertaken, but the school was yet to receive further information on when the project would begin.

The teacher also identified the poor road network to the school as another challenge affecting enrolment, saying the school serves pupils from Percheyire and three neighbouring communities.

He said an enrolment drive embarked in one of the communities, Togodo showed that more than 60 school-going children lived in the community, but were unable to attend the school regularly because of the distance and poor road.

The school currently has about 110 pupils from Kindergarten through Junior High School, according to the Head teacher.

He said improving both the classroom infrastructure and the road network would help create a more conducive learning environment and potentially improve enrolment.

A former teacher of the school, Rev. Elizabeth Korasare said she was surprised to find the structure still in use after 38 years.

 “I was surprised to see that the classroom I sat in 38 years ago is in the same state. Even though there are some new blocks, the upper primary is still housed in that same dilapidated structure,” she told The Spectator.

 She therefore appealed to the relevant stakeholders to support the school by building a modern structure and improve the road network.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu