Accra, Ghana, October 27, 2019//-Dr Ewura Adjoa Ahimah Nunoo, a senior medical officer at Swan Clinic in Adenta, says people’s lifestyles may increase their risk of acquiring breast cancer which kills millions across the globe.
Breast cancer is an abnormal growth in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breasts. It is the commonest cause of cancer in women.
There is no particular cause of breast cancer.
However, Dr Nunoo who has been speaking on radio and television shows as well as public fora to create awareness on breast cancer told African Eye Report that there are a few risk factors to getting the disease.
These risk factors she mentioned are-obesity, drinking of alcohol, smoking, not having children early, not breastfeeding, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, oral contraceptive use, and late menopause. But some people get breast cancer without having a single risk factor.
It can also be caused by heredity factor. Which Dr Nunoo explained: “Having a family member who had it-mother, sister, among others increases your risk of having it too”.
Age groups
Women at ages ranging from 55-64 are at risk of getting breast cancer, while men at age 60 may also get it. But according to Dr Nunoo and her colleague doctors, breast cancer is prevalent among women than men. As studies have shown that one in eight women gets breast cancer worldwide.
“Now we are seeing young people acquiring it. Because of the change in lifestyle habits”, Dr Nunoo noted.
Breast cancer claims 1,800 lives in Ghana, and millions worldwide
Research by the International Agency for Research on Cancer revealed that of the over 4,600 cases of breast cancer that are diagnosed in Ghana this year, more than 1,800 of the patients are at risk of losing their lives.
While statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that 2.1 million women are impacted by breast cancer every year globally.
Dr Nunoo attributed the high number of deaths recorded from the disease to late diagnosis, screening, and inadequate facilities.
“Most people report late at the health facilities when the disease is advanced because they don’t screen. And usually prognosis is poor and the low survival rate”.
How to prevent breast cancer
Breast cancer can be effectively treated if diagnosed early. Dr Nunoo therefore encouraged women and men to go for proper regular self clinical examinations.
For women: “If you are under 40 years, you can examine your breast after your monthly menstrual period and every two or three years you see a doctor”.
Also, “If you are over 40 years, then you need to have a mammogram (an x-ray of the breasts) done”.
Furthermore, she advised menopausal women to examine their breasts on a particular day in a month to prevent them from contracting the disease.
She cautioned people against excessive intake of alcoholic beverages, smoking and other habits which make them risk to getting breast cancer and other complications.
Dr Nunoo and other healthcare providers as well as celebrities have lined up breast examination activities to mark World Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), with a call on government and stakeholders to intensify efforts to eradicate the disease in the country.
The month of October has been set aside worldwide to raise the awareness of the disease. At Swan Clinic located around the Rizt Junction, Adenta, a suburb of Accra, Accra Mall, among others breast examinations are underway.
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report
