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As part of their collaborative strategic agreement to support Breast Cancer prevention and control programs in Ghana, Breast Care International (BCI) and DHL Global Forwarding Ghana Ltd. (DHL) are organizing a 2-Day Training Workshop about Breast and Cervical Cancers for some nurses in Ghana; purposely for the “School Breast Health Education Program”.

The training/workshop takes place at the Peace and Love Hospitals’ branch in Kumasi from Tuesday 19th January to Wednesday 20th January 2016, with the theme “BE BREAST CANCER AWARE NOT SCARED”. This phase of the program is targeting some SHSs in the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions of Ghana.

The selected nurses shall undergo training that would professionally equip them both in theory and practice in basic oncology skills necessary to educate senior high school (SHS) students about risk factors of breast cancer, prevention strategies, treatment options, and proper ways of doing breast self examination (BSE). Additionally, they would be able to clinically screen the students for any suspicious signs and symptoms of breast cancer and refer suspected cases for further evaluation at appropriate health facilities.

The President of Breast Care International, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, in an overview said, “ BCI in collaboration with DHL Global Forwarding is by these programs empowering the youth to walk boldly into a future where they would be more conscious about their breast health, and be breast cancer aware and not scared.”

She called for increased private/public sector collaboration, and commended DHL and the Education ministry for their immense support, saying this Noble venture would definitely increase the knowledge in this sub population of the country, they are the Future; they will grow up with the knowledge and help educate the older generation, especially their mothers, grandmothers aunties etc.

The school Breast Health Education Program, which is targeting all the SHS’s in Ghana is created to fill a void in breast cancer awareness in the country targeting an age group of 13-25 as a way of reducing the ever increasing incidence, morbidity and mortality of breast cancer in Ghana by providing young people up to date cancer information, methods of prevention, clinical screening and early detection.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, in a signed press statement issued in Kumasi today projected a nationwide coverage of all senior high schools in the foreseeable future based on the success of this pilot program.

Mr. Paul Opoku, who’s the Country Manager of DHL Global Forwarding Ltd, reiterated--------------------- that daily, we take preventive measures such as wearing our seat belts to reduce the chance of getting hurt in a car accident. We brush our teeth to prevent cavities. Likewise, we have to ensure that we take steps to reduce our risk of getting breast cancer. And while most of us do not spend too much time thinking about risk, it is important to understand the concept of risk as it relates to health. 

 

BCI acknowledges the assistance from DHL Global Forwarding Ghana Ltd for their support towards breast cancer awareness creation in Ghana.