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Over four thousand women participating in this year’s Aglow National Convention have been taken through the steps of how to perform their own Breast Self Examination, (BSE), followed with free clinical breast screening by Africa’s lead anti-breast cancer campaign group, Breast Care International, BCI.

The free screening, sponsored by Roche Ghana, took place at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.

A visibly-happy BCI President Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, described the event as highly encouraging, pointing out that, “this is one of the most important screening programs BCI has undertaken this year”, and promised to make it routine in all subsequent national conventions of Aglow International.

Dr. Wiafe explained the importance of reporting abnormalities on time to hospital for further diagnosis, cautioning that the disease at the initial stage is not painful, leading to the mistaken believe among many at that stage that “there is no cause for alarm” and that “once there’s no pain there’s no danger”. She reemphasized her point that “early detection and prompt action is equal to prevention”.

After the traditional pre-screening education during which frequently asked questions on signs and symptoms among others were addressed by Dr. Wiafe, the team painstakingly followed through demonstrating how to conduct breast self- examination, BSE, this was followed with the Survivors’ corner, when a survivor shared her personal experience with breast cancer, before clinically screening the participants.

Those found with problems were counselled and referred for further investigations and treatment.

Aglow Ghana President, Dr. Mrs. Dorothy Danso, said the invitation to BCI was in recognition of the level of commitment displayed over the years by BCI in educating and screening women for breast cancer.

She entreated the women to regularly practice BSE as directed, and encouraged them to give priority to their health, above all other considerations.