“Every year, over 4,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana,” Madam Nina Ahema Duodu has said.

Out of the above figure, she added, “more than half of them – more than 2,000 – die every year”.

She emphasised this meant breast cancer awareness had to be “an everyday thing”.

“We’ve resolved not to wait for October [breast cancer awareness month] to educate the public,” she noted.

Nina Ahema Duodu spoke when the Meena Breast Cancer Foundation marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Ghana International Press Centre, Accra.

The programmed was themed: ‘Early detection saves lives’.

She assured her office was open to welcome members of the public from January to December.

“If you want education or you want to conduct a screening, we’re available to help,” she said.

She underlined hereditary could result in an individual getting breast cancer.

“If your mother, aunt, or some other family member gets it, it’s possible you may also get it,” she said.

However, “most often, those who are diagnosed come from families without breast cancer cases,” she informed the media on the sidelines of the programme.

Madam Ahema Duodu urged women to learn to do “breast self-examination” every month “five days after menstruation” to stay safe.

She said this stressing “early detection” and medical care “saves lives”.

“In times past, only adults were getting breast cancer but now, even 15-year-olds are getting diagnosed with it,” she observed.

“If you’re a girl, the moment you begin menstruation start self-examination every month,” she cautioned.

Even though “two out of 10 men” get breast cancer, in her estimation, “male breast cancer is violent” she added.

Above all, she called on individuals, organisations and the government to recognise breast cancer as a national problem depleting the human resource of the country, and needing urgent attention.

Though the true cause of breast cancer is not known, Nina Ahema Duodu said risk factors had to be avoided.

Thus, “we need to eat healthily, eat fruits, eat vegetables, stay hydrated, exercise regularly,” she encouraged, “to strengthen your immune system” and reduce one’s chances of getting the breast cancer disease.