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Brassieres, Deodorants Not Causes of Breast Cancer — Health Expert
An Occupational Health Manager, Mr Samuel Agyekum, has dismissed widespread belief that wearing brassieres or using deodorant sprays causes breast cancer, stating that such claims are false and unscientific.
“The kind of bra you wear cannot give you breast cancer. At most, it may cause a minor skin irritation — that is if it’s too tight — but not cancer,” he explained.
Mr Agyekum made the clarification on Wednesday at a seminar with staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC) that preceded a staff screening, as part of activities to commemorate this year’s breast cancer month observation.
The screening was organised by Rabito Clinic, in collaboration with the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult). It was under the theme: ‘Female Journalist, Your Story Matters: Don’t Let Breast Cancer Silence You.’
According to Mr Samuel Agyekum, an officer from the Rabito Clinic, there was no research outcome that supports the claim that brassieres or deodorants trigger breast cancer. Rather, he attributed some of the triggers to sedentary lifestyles, consumption of ‘junk’ foods, smoking, drinking, among others.
Mr Agyekum urged women, especially, to prioritise self-breast examination (SBE) and go for regular medical checkups, explaining that early detection greatly improves the chances of survival.
He demonstrated practical steps in checking for unusual changes in breast size, shape, or colour, as well as lumps or nipple discharge. “If you don’t know your own body, you may miss important signs. Everyone should learn to look and feel,” he advised.
He further encouraged breastfeeding mothers to nurse their babies as long as possible, stating that breastfeeding provides significant health benefits to both mother and child. “Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of developing breast cancer; it helps the uterus return to normal after childbirth,” he added.
Mr Banguu Delle, Chief Executive Officer of Rabito Clinic, indicated that the initiative was to empower female journalists to take charge of their health and continue to tell impactful stories.
“Increasing awareness and promoting self-examination among women will transform society and empower them to take control of their lives,” he stated, urging participants to “get screened and not allow breast cancer to silence their voices.”
Mr Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA Consult, said the outreach was extended to the NTC and four other media outlets to make screening accessible to more female journalists.
“You must first be healthy to report healthy news. Don’t only cover breast cancer stories, take part in them,” he emphasised.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, affecting more than 2.1 million women annually.
By Beatrice Princess Kpeglah & Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
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Mrs Patience Antonio, a Child and Family Development Advocate, has called for a national campaign to reduce the growing reliance on breast milk substitutes among nursing mothers in Ghana.
According to Mrs Antonio, scientific evidence shows that breastfeeding improves a child’s emotional stability, boosts intelligence, strengthens the immune system, and provides long-term health benefits. She made these remarks in an interview with The Spectator in Accra last week, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding for a child’s overall development.
She explained that breastfeeding is not just a biological act of feeding but a key emotional and developmental bridge between mother and child. She also highlighted the need for the recommended six-month maternity leave period to ease the pressure on mothers to return to work prematurely.
“Breastfeeding creates intimacy and trust. It assures the baby of love and security, which becomes the foundation for their emotional health,” Mrs Antonio noted, warning that abandoning exclusive breastfeeding could have long-term implications on children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Consequently, she called for a minimum of five months of fully paid maternity leave for Ghanaian mothers to enable effective breastfeeding, bonding, and healthier child development. She also urged workplaces to implement family-friendly policies, including private spaces for breastfeeding, flexible working arrangements for nursing mothers, and stronger support systems for new parents.
Mrs Antonio further encouraged families and society to actively support mothers during breastfeeding, stressing that many women struggle due to lack of assistance at home or the pressure to return to work too soon. She emphasized, “If we want a healthier, emotionally stable generation, then we must make breastfeeding a priority and support mothers to do it without stress.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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The Nanvili Community School in the Mion District of the Northern Region is facing severe infrastructural challenges, affecting teaching and learning for pupils in the area.
The school, which serves five surrounding communities with a total of 58 pupils, has deteriorated to the extent that many children have stopped attending classes. Poor classroom conditions and the lack of desks have made teaching and learning difficult. During a visit to the school, the gate-free classrooms were found filled with goat and sheep droppings.
During the rainy season, both teachers and pupils are often cut off from the school due to bad roads and flooding. Teaching activities are frequently suspended for weeks, negatively affecting academic performance.
The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Dawuni Mutawakil, expressed concern, noting that the situation is worrying since these pupils are expected to compete with their counterparts in urban areas who have access to better facilities. He added that due to limited space, classes have been merged, with pupils from Primary One and Two, Three and Four, and Five and Six sharing the same classrooms.
The Chief of Nanvili, Abu Kassim, also appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of the community. He emphasized that the current state of the school discourages children from nearby communities from attending.
Both the Chief and Assemblyman have called for urgent intervention to improve infrastructure and provide furniture for the pupils to ensure quality education for children in the Nanvili area.
By Geoffrey Buta, Nanvili, Northern Region
Spectator
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