Girls and women must all take self-examination very seriously to protect themselves against breast cancer, the Meena Breast Cancer Foundation has urged.

At the Ghana International Press Centre, Accra, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the foundation led by Madam Nina Ahema Duodu, marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“In times past, only adults were getting breast cancer but now, even 15-year-olds are getting diagnosed with it,” Madam Ahema Duodu told the media on the sidelines of the programme themed: ‘Early detection saves lives’.

She said she could not specify an age susceptible to breast cancer. 

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

She noted self-examination had to be done “every month” to enhance early detection “which saves lives”.

Nina Ahema Duodu revealed more than 4,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Ghana.

She lamented more than half of them died, advocating, also, individuals, organisations and government had to rise to address the disease laying Ghana’s human resource to waste.

Assuring her office was open to educate and help with screening exercises, among other things, “all year round,” she urged females to learn to do breast self-examination “five days after menstruation” to stay safe.