As part of the inauguration ceremony of Berekumman citizens association, the leadership of the women's wing Madam Afia Badu, Global Women's Organizer, Jemina Amoah, Berekum Women's organizer and the National Women's organizer, Adwoa Benewaa Nhyiraba, brought a team of experts from the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS) to undertake a free breast cancer screening in Berekum on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the premises of Happy Hospital.
The team of medical experts on Breast cancer, led by Dr. Frank Ghartey of the Department of Medical Pathology and Dr. Akwasi Anyanful of the Department of Medical Biochemistry of UCCSMS undertook the screening of 240 women using the finest radiation-free, point of care technology, the Breast-i, which is capable of detecting very early stages of cancer in the breast of younger women as compared to the clinical breast examination method (hand method) and the mammogram.
The team detected eight(8) cases of cancer with three(3) of them being in the advanced stage, thus the breasts need to be amputated. Among the victims was an 18-year-old girl.
According to the experts, the results discovered is unprecedented in comparison to breast cancer research and screening they have ever undertaken. There is mostly a single detection or case per 100 scans. This put Berekum on a very high alert and prevalence rate.
The doctors recommended that the local hospitals should be able to get the point of care devices used, to help detect an early case of cancer in the breast. They further urged women in Berekum to do at least two checkups a year on their breast for early detection and treatment.
The global chairman of the Berekum man citizens association, Mr. Kofi Kyere promised, the association will purchase two of the devices for Berekum to aid frequent and reliable checks for women in Berekum and its environs to help curb the menace. He also promised the association will support the 8 victims to get treatment.
The doctors plan to perform further research to determine the cause of the high prevalence rate in Berekum.
