Establish breast cancer fund …to reduce mortality rate – BSoG appeals to govt

Dr Aryeetey

 The Breast Society of Ghana (BSoG) has called for the establishment of a fund for the treatment of breast cancer in Ghana.

This, according to the society will help increase the survival rate of patients in the country.

An Oncologist, Dr Naa Adorkor Aryeetey, made the call on Friday during the launch of BSoG’s breast cancer awareness month which is on the theme ‘breast care-working together to succeed.’

The society inaugurated a breast cancer survivors group with the aim of advocating and sharing their stories on breast cancer.

Dr Aryeetey who is also a member of BSoG said the fund was crucial in alleviating the financial burden on affected individuals to enable timely access to quality healthcare.

She said the fund would also reduce the incidence of late diagnosis, facilitate public awareness campaigns and edu­cational initiatives.

She said there have been much improvement in the management of breast cancer in the country, explaining that the setting up of tumor boards at the various teaching hospi­tals, training of oncologists, psychologists, and the holding of frequent meetings to decide on best treatment options for cancer patients have gone a long way to improve the sur­vival rates of the disease.

She added that the im­provement in pathology services had been key to the success story.

Describing gaps in the treatment of breast cancer in Ghana as worrying, she hoped that soon major problems like misconceptions surrounding the disease and treatment op­tions, stigmatisation, the lack of knowledge on the disease and reliance on alternative drugs would soon become a thing of the past.

The Greater Accra Region­al Health Director, Dr Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu-Sarpong, said in order to promote early de­tection of the disease, systems should be put in place through awareness creation in various communities in the country.

She called for improve­ment of access to screening services such as the presence of mammograms in health facilities in all the regions.

According to Dr Owusu-Sar­pong, compliance to treatment by patients diagnosed with breast cancer was essential to ensure good health outcomes.

She stated that some patients had refused some aspects of treatment such as mastectomy (removal of the affected breast) and radio­therapy, and therefore encour­aged breast cancer patients to adhere to the treatment pre­scribed by health professionals to ensure better care and good outcomes.

She encouraged every member of the public to go for regular breast screening to support early detection and management.

 By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu