Editorial
The fight against breast cancer is still on …be prepared to support it
In view of the threatening nature of breast cancer and the death it can cause to human lives, there is the need to regularly educate people about the disease.
We need to report cases of cancer early to the hospitals. This is the general advice given to the public, so that they can be attended to in time.
However, there have been cases where some doctors are not able to diagnose the disease early enough due to unavailability of required medical equipment to do so.
The Spectator, therefore, appeals to all health workers to put in their best, even in the face of challenges, to bring the situation under control.
Diagnosing disease, particularly cancer of any form, is not an easy task. For this reason, the public must bear with our medical staff.
At the same time, members of the public must also do their best to follow medical advice and report all breast cancer cases early.
This is how we can all help to bring the increasing number of breast cancer cases globally, and in Ghana in particular, under control.
Breast Cancer has become one of the medical challenges the world is confronted with today. Research has shown that it occurs mostly in women and rarely in men. According to the American Cancer Society, less than one per cent of all breast cancer cases occurs in men.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Report revealed that, more than 685, 000 women died from breast cancer in 2020 and in the same year, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease, making it the world’s most widespread cancer.
In Ghana, the story is not different. Statistics carried by the Global Cancer Observatory website in March 2021, showed that 4,482 women in Ghana were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. In the same year, it said 2,055 deaths were recorded.
In fact, it is estimated that 4,650 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in Ghana while more than 2,000 women die of the disease yearly.
These statistics buttress the fact that breast cancer is higher among women, which gives credence to the sensitivity of the disease towards women.
It is for this reason, The Spectator, Your Weekend Companion, is leading a month-long breast cancer campaign to create awareness on the dangers of the disease to women in particular, who coincidentally align with the brand personality of the newspaper.
As we draw the attention of the public to the issue of breast cancer, let us not panic but be bold enough to take preventive measures that will make us stay good and enjoy long life.
This is the surest way to overcome breast cancer as well as other types of cancer in our lives.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
