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Busting the Myths, Saving More Lives
For many Ghanaian women and men, breast cancer remains a frightening and misunderstood disease.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, stigma, fear, and misinformation continue to stop people—especially women—from seeking help early, and those delays can be deadly.
One of the most common myths is that breast cancer only affects older women. In truth, even women in their 20s have been diagnosed. Another common misconception is that pain in the breast always signals breast cancer, or that no pain means safety. Both are false. Breast cancer can develop silently, without pain or visible signs.
Then there is the fear of knowing. Many women avoid screening because they think, “What I don’t know won’t hurt me.” But when it comes to breast cancer, what you don’t know can cost your life. Early detection remains the most powerful weapon against the disease. When found early, breast cancer is highly treatable, with survival rates above 90 per cent.
Health experts recommend that women perform a monthly breast self-examination (BSE), have a clinical breast examination (CBE) annually, and seek medical attention immediately if they notice a lump, discharge, or any changes in the breast’s shape, skin, or nipple area. For women aged 40 and above, experts also recommend a mammogram every one to two years, as this can detect changes long before they can be felt.
Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) believes that awareness must go beyond slogans—it must translate into action. By encouraging open conversations, supporting survivors, and challenging myths, we can save more lives.
Breast cancer is not a death sentence. Knowledge, courage, and early action make all the difference. Let us talk, test, and take charge, because every woman’s life is worth saving.
Feature Article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition Project
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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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