Health Essentials
Breast cancer – Questions on your mind (final part)
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Screening for Breast Cancer
[Our education on breast cancer continues this weekend with the final part of the question and answer format]
9. What will happen when I see my Doctor?
If your appointment is in person, your doctor will examine your breasts.
After speaking to you on the phone, or examining your breasts, your doctor/Nurse may:
• Decide there’s no need for further investigation
• Ask to see you again after a short time
• Refer you to a breast clinic
Being referred to a breast clinic does not mean you have breast cancer, just that further assessment is needed to find out what is going on.
If your doctor is male and you do not feel comfortable going to see him, ask if there is a female doctor or practice nurse available.
You can also ask for a female nurse or member of staff to be present during your examination, or you can take a friend or relative with you but check first if you are able to do this.
10. What is breast screening?
Breast screening uses a breast x-ray, called a mammogram, to look for cancer that may be too small to see or feel.
The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment is likely to be. Screening can pick up breast cancer before there are any signs or symptoms.
How can I make an appointment?
If you’re a woman aged 50 up to your 71st birthday, you must make breast screening a practice every three years. If you are a man, make it a point to accompany your wife/ partner, do not be a spectator, be involved, you are a reliable witness. Also, ask to be checked. Find out how to contact the screening unit on the health essentials website, http://www.healthessentialsgh.com
11. Advantages and disadvantages of screening
Advantages
Screening breast cancer early
The sooner breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to respond well to treatment, and the less likely you need more extensive surgery.
Screening prevents deaths
Screening prevents an estimated 1,300 deaths from breast cancer each year in Ghana.
Disadvantages
It can be uncomfortable
However, this isn’t always the case and a mammogram only takes a few seconds.
Some women will be offered unnecessary treatment
Some cancers found through screening will not develop any further or will grow so slowly that they will never cause any harm during a woman’s life.At the moment, doctors cannot tell which cancers can be left alone, so treatment is offered for all breast cancers. This means some women may have unnecessary treatment (known as overtreatment).
A small number of cancers are missed
Mammograms are the most reliable way of detecting breast cancer sooner. However, they are not 100 per cent reliable and a small number of breast cancers are missed. For example, if someone has particularly dense breast tissue this may potentially mask a problem on a mammogram.
Being recalled can cause worry and distress
Around four out of every 100 women screened are recalled for further assessment.
Most of these women do not have breast cancer. But being recalled or having more tests can cause a lot of worry and distress.
You’re exposed to a small amount of radiation
The amount of radiation you’re exposed to during a mammogram is very low. and you would receive a similar amount from a return flight between London and Australia.
12. What happens during breast screening?
Your appointment will be at a breast screening unit
This might be a breast screening clinic or in some areas a mobile screening unit.
First, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire. It will ask about any ongoing medical conditions, if you’re having hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and if you’ve had any breast problems.
With regards to the imaging aspect, you would be referred by need bases by the doctor after the physical examination.
Let her know if you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
13. Getting your results
The results of your screening mammogram are sent to you or your doctor.
Most women will receive the report telling them their mammogram showed no signs of cancer. They’ll be invited for screening again in three years.
Some women will get a letter asking them to come back for further assessment. This is because more tests are needed to assess a change seen on the mammogram. Being recalled doesn’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer, just that more tests are needed.
Occasionally, some women receive a letter asking them to go back for another mammogram because a technical issue meant the image was unclear.
14. Being aware of status of breast between mammograms
Having mammograms cannot prevent breast cancer, and it’s possible for breast cancer to develop in the three years between each mammogram. It is important to be aware of the status of your breast and report any changes to your doctor even if you have had a mammogram recently.
Compiled by Dr. Ebenezer Anobah
With Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
These last few months of 2026, I am embarking on a new journey. Over the past several months I have tried out some aspects of my “new way of life” but not in the manner I am doing now and I am sure you are doing same too. Draft your own points based on what is important to you and let us begin the journey together. It is never too late.
Many of the things I am working on now are guided by years of interaction with different people, what may be my purpose in my opinion, great family and friends and the type of wisdom that comes only with years.
- Self-Care
Quite often we try to take care of everything and everyone without ensuring we are appropriately “charged”. There is nothing to give out if you are empty. Self-care is NOT a luxury and it has taken me years to appreciate this;
- I will add a new hobby I have been toying with.
- Surrounding myself with like-minded people who energise me, make me laugh and be the best version of myself. Building Social capital pays.
- I am spending quality time with God daily
- Spending time in nature is key and I ensure that I take much needed breaks
- Spending a few minutes a day to meditate, exercise and spoil myself sometimes
- I will have some hours each day that will be blocked out as “no phone time”
- Keeping a Goal Diary
Many people have described ways of putting down your goals and seeing them happen. My coach taught me the power of VISUALISATION but over the years I went off that golden path. It’s time to get back. This is what I am doing now;
- In a diary I am writing everything I want to be or do as long as I have breath. No pressure.
- I am writing in the present tense; “I am spending an amazing week in a 7-Star resort with the people I love the most”
- I will look at this list everyday
- Start a Gratitude Bank
I listened to this recently and though it was not referred to as a Gratitude Bank, I believe that is exactly what it is
- I picked a diary to write in but others choose a transparent container to drop in written points. Choose what you are comfortable with.
- At the end of each week I will write something(s) I am grateful for and put in the container.
- Whenever I feel “ungrateful” I will read through them to remind myself how blessed I am and surely I will be holding the “evidence”
- On December 31, I will go through the list irrespective of my mood.
- Practice. Practice. Practice
This is exactly as it is – whatever you have written out in your diary to do from self-care through your goals etc. prioritise or focus on a few at a time. As you practice e.g. meditating, exercising, eating right and the many great things you want to do, these will all GROW. Whatever you practice GROWS.
- Make the world a better place
I believe that we can make a difference in our corner no matter the challenges.
- That smile will change someone’s life
- An act of kindness is contagious and the giver, receiver and all those observing benefit immensely. Let us spread kindness.
- The Blood Bank on my mind for this year and beyond.
What are you focusing on, what are you practicing?
Do share your list with me via email.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week –“Never change your originality for the sake of others because no one can play your role better than you. So be yourself. You are the best.” – Unknown
References:
- Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth; Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors but remain perfectly fine while another may have only one or none yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.
We cannot say with certainty that we can do all it takes to prevent cancer BUT we can do a lot to reduce our risk.
TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER RISK REDUCTION
- Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers.
- Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too.
- Alcohol – limit intake or avoid. It has the power to expose one to several cancers as well especially when we can’t apply brakes to how much we consume.
- Healthy Eating
- Limit intake of processed food and sugar
- Limit intake of red meat
- Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
- An antioxidant rich food like cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
- Fibre in your food is crucial.
- Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others through weight control.
- Also increases immunity.
- Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early and managed aggressively.
- Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or vaccine against HPV (human papilloma virus accounts for the majority of cervical cancers)
- Know your Family History
- Anyone in your family with a cancer? Necessary to be on your guard but also remember that you may be the first person in your family with a particular cancer.
- Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible to reduce risk of breast cancer.
- Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation. Protect your skin.
- Practice SAFE SEX
- HPV infection leading to cervical cancer is commoner when one is exposed to sex early, directly or indirectly has multiple partners but NOT everyone follows this rule. As in many situations, outliers do exist.
- Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed appropriately.
Do add two (2) others of your choice and send to me via email. Together we can protect ourselves.
Will treating H. Pylori infections be a game changer too?
ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE.”- WHO
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
