Health Essentials
“All breasts matter; offer support”
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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
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
