Health Essentials
“All breasts matter; offer support”
Breast cancer is on the rise worldwide and that includes Ghana. The way to curb or cure this disease does not lie in a prayer camp or at the feet of a herbalist. Like charity breast screening begins at home and we all need to master the basics so that we can detect changes quickly and report to health professionals. “Early detection and effective treatment is the only cure for breast cancer.”
This weekend our focus is to critically look at factors that put one at increased risk of breast cancer. No one can pinpoint the exact cause but there are red flags.
ALL BREASTS MATTER; offer support. The size of your breast does not protect you from breast cancer. Not even your gender offers absolute protection and in 2021 it is projected that there will be over 2000 men who will be diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. Let us not deceive ourselves and assume that we are insulated from this cancer; you can be the first person in your family with breast cancer.
An ideal time to do monthly self-examination is a week after one’s menses. For those who have reached menopause or no longer menstruate for other reasons, pick a time of the month and stick to it.
Risk factors of breast cancer
“However, having a cancer risk factor, or even several of them, does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer. Some women with one or more breast cancer risk factors never develop breast cancer, while about half of women with breast cancer have no apparent risk factors.” – Sabrina Felson, MD
- Age – the older you are the greater the risk
- Gender – being a woman automatically puts you at more risk.
- For women having a male blood relative with breast cancer balloons your risk
- Family History (the gene factor is here) – our risk increases when a close family member has the cancer
- Personal History – when we have cancer in one breast the chance of it occurring in the other or even the same breast is increased
- Genetics
- Five per cent to 10 per cent of people with breast cancer thought to be hereditary.
- Alterations in breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA 2 increase one’s risk of breast cancer markedly.
- Menstruation – Having first menses at an early age and reaching menopause late
- Race – white women have an increased risk but blacks have more aggressive varieties
- Alcohol use and fatty or cholesterol-laden foods increase the risk
- Having no children or the first child after 35yrs increases risk (not a reason to encourage teen-age pregnancies)
- Having dense breasts. Your breasts have more fibrous than fatty tissue.
- Breast Lesions
- A previous breast biopsy lesion of atypical hyperplasia may increase one’s risk of breast cancer
- Complex fibroadenosis may also increase risk just as any other abnormal breast lesion will
- Excessive exposure to chest radiation
- This is especially true of women who were exposed to a large amount of radiation before age 30 — usually as treatment for cancers such as lymphoma.
- Being overweight or obese increases risk especially fat in the midsection
- Certain hormone therapies may increase risk
- Other cancer in the family.If a family member had ovarian cancer under age 50, your risk is increased
Myths?
These may not be linked to increased breast cancer risk BUT research is still ongoing for some such as the use of breast implants.
- Fibrocystic breast changes
- Multiple pregnancies
- Coffee or caffeine intake
- Use of antiperspirants
- Wearing underwire bras
- Using hair dye
- Having an abortion or miscarriage
- Using breast implants
Finally dear reader let’s put the following in action
- Early detection is great so women should do monthly self exam and probably examination by a healthcare professional yearly. Men should make sure we examine our breasts occasionally because, though the risk of breast cancer is extremely low, it may still occur. Don’t be a statistic!
- Mammograms, Ultrasounds, MRIs etc. should be taken advantage of.
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy meal with a great portion of fruits, vegetables and omega -3 laden fish. But beware of fats and oil.
- If you intend to start a family, maybe you should before you are 30years and then breastfeed for as long as you can afford to.
- DEFINITELY make sure you alert at least one busy woman, one woman without access to information and one man, that breast cancer is real but a lot can be done when detected early.
Together we can all work to reduce the incidence of advanced breast cancer.
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/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.
Thought for the week – “Early detection and effective treatment are the only cure for breast cancer.” – Dr. Florence Dedey.
References:
- Breast Cancer Course for Health Professionals
- www.webmd.com ; “Risk factors for breast cancer” – reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD
- www.mayoclinic.com
- www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer
- Citifmonline
- Mosby’s Ace the Boards
- Breast Cancer in Ghana is Rising. Here’s how to prevent, detect and treat it. – Dr. Florence Dedey.
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
“Me nyare n’anso me nti ap)” is a popular Akan saying that can be translated into English as “I am not ill, yet I feel unwell.” It is that feeling when you just can’t place a finger on what is not right with you.
Today, I can confidently inform you that if you have felt this way in the past, you certainly had a point. Medical science has come a long way, and we know that health and wellness go far beyond the physical aspects such as pain, heart disease, or infections.
Other equally important aspects of wellness exist, and these may be classified as Social, Mental, Spiritual, Financial, and Digital Health and Wellness.
Do not be surprised when your doctor begins to ask you questions about your social network, such as those you have close ties with—family, friends, or both. Longevity depends to a large extent on one’s social support system or network.
As the American Heart Association notes, “lack of SOCIAL CONNECTION is associated with increased risk of premature death from all causes, especially among men.”
This is no open ticket to spend all of one’s after-work hours hanging out with friends under the disguise that you are prolonging your life. Moderation is key in all things, and your strong social ties need not be a whole village. All you need is a handful of loyal friends or family who know you inside out and have your wellbeing at heart.
If you are stressed out or have any mental health challenges, you should be able to speak to a close friend. Sharing your challenge may just be enough, or this friend may be able to advise you appropriately. It is easy to laugh with such friends and not be worried about being judged. Laughter, as you know, is medicine.
Close contacts may prompt you to take your physical health seriously, but even if they don’t, that bond you share produces feel-good hormones that protect you and prolong your health span.
I prefer health span to lifespan simply because lifespan refers to just being alive, but one may not be “living”—you could be bedridden, in a coma, or have multiple organ challenges. We should all aim for a long health span.
The art of building strong social connections is one reason we need to work on getting our children away from their phones and other gadgets that deprive them of the opportunity to talk to peers, share physical contact, and form lifelong relationships.
Dear friend, choose your friends wisely if you want to live a long, healthy, and happy life.
While you work on your social connections, let us breathe our way to great health by following the steps below. Repeat these steps daily:
- Sit in a quiet place.
- Avoid tight clothing (loosen your belt, necktie, or other constricting clothing).
- Take deep breaths through your nostril and exhale slowly through partially closed lips.
- At the peak of your initial inhale, take in another breath and hold for a count of 4 before exhaling.
- Expand your belly as you breathe in.
- Focus on your breathing and forget about everything else.
- When your focus drifts off (and it will about 50% of the time), acknowledge the thought but quickly return to your breathing.
- Continue breathing in and exhaling for five minutes.
- Increase the duration of this breathing/mindfulness over time.
…and remember to teach your friends to breathe too. After all, together you will live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life.
As always: laugh often, ensure hygiene, walk and pray every day, 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 (HE&W Group)
(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 (1): “Lack of sleep may predispose you to many diseases including a STROKE. Jump into bed an hour earlier and sleep a stroke away.”
Thought for the week (2): “There is no magic formula to being happy, but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.”
Join us at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel for our end-of-year Wellness Festival on Saturday, 29th November 2025, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. You should not miss this event. All six pillars of wellness will be at play.
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
The prostate gland, a small but essential organ found only in men, plays a key role in reproductive health. It produces fluid that nourishes, protects, and transports sperm, yet many focus only on its connection to prostate cancer.
Location & Function
- Situated between the bladder and penis, with the rectum behind it.
- The urethra passes through the prostate, carrying urine and semen.
Common Prostate Conditions
1. Prostatitis – Infection of the prostate:
- Symptoms: chills, fever, pus-like urethral discharge, painful urination, groin/testicular pain, painful orgasms, erectile dysfunction.
- Advice: Seek professional help; do not self-medicate.
2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate:
- Symptoms: frequent urination (especially at night), urge incontinence, difficulty starting urination, weak stream, painful urination, blood in urine, terminal dribbling, and in severe cases, inability to urinate.
- BPH can be extremely painful, sometimes compared to labor pains.
3. Prostate Cancer – Common among men, especially black men, often aggressive and with earlier onset:
- Risk Factors: older age, African descent, family history, obesity.
- Symptoms: frequent urination, straining, blood in urine/semen, weak urine flow, new erectile dysfunction; advanced stages may include fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain.
Diagnosis
- Digital rectal examination – checks for irregular or hard areas.
- PSA test, biopsy, ultrasound, CT/MRI/PET scans, bone scan.
Management
- Holistic approaches include watchful waiting, medication, surgery, and radiation (external & brachytherapy).
- Always discuss all options with your healthcare provider.
Risk Reduction Tips
- Regular screening
- Healthy, varied diet rich in fruits and vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, cauliflower)
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise at least 5 days a week
Final Advice
- Share this information – the prostate needs support!
- Maintain good hygiene, walk and exercise daily, pray, and know your numbers (blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI).
Thought for the Week:
“There is no magic formula to being happy but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Dr. Essel invites readers to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Wellness Festival on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 6 a.m., to walk, exercise, network, and share ideas to stay healthy.
Contact: dressel@healthessentialsgh.com
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
