According to the World Health Organization, about half a million women die from breast cancer each year, with 70 percent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, breast cancer is believed to be the leading cause of cancer mortality in women, and the rate of incidence is expected to rise if awareness is not increased.
In light of this, Manganese Ladies Association launched its Breast Cancer Awareness program in 2012 to provide education, screening, and medical assistance to breast cancer patients within the host communities.
The Association had joined the global communities to mark this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, under the theme: ‘Give Hope. Save Lives.’
As usual, men and women within the mine were being asked to show support for breast cancer survivors and those battling the disease.
Currently, there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relieve the suffering of patients and their families is needed.
