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A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Gorman Nova Pathways, has funded mammogram and ultrasound screening for 100 underprivileged women at Euracare Advanced Diagnostic and Heart Centre in Accra.
The initiative, in partnership with Euracare Ghana, aims to provide specialised screenings to detect any early signs of breast cancer, pre-screening consultations, and a thorough understanding of the disease.
The screening formed part of the organisation’s efforts to mark this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which ended last week and provide a vital lifeline for women who do not have access to such medical care.
It also formed part of the four broad pillars of the organisation, which include women’s health care, clean water, environmental cleanliness and education.
The co-founder of Gorman Nova Pathways, Elinda Stevens Gorman said the initiative aimed to bridge the financial barriers many women faced in obtaining vital breast cancer screenings.
She said one in eight women globally risked breast cancer in their lifetime, adding that “our goal is to ensure that income constraints do not prevent early detection of the disease and improve health outcomes”.
Mrs Gorman encouraged women to perform monthly self-examinations of their breasts and seek immediate medical attention if they found any suspicious changes.
She said breast cancer was a curable disease if detected early hence called on women to be vigilant about their health and look for early signs of the disease throughout the year and not just during October.
The Co-Founder and Cardiologist, Dr Alfread Gorman said they were committed to supporting the fight against breast cancer and improving the quality of health in the country.
As part of their mandate, he said they would conduct research to identify remote communities in need of clean water sources and provide them with boreholes or wells for clean drinking water.
Dr Gorman said they were committed to working with local communities to tackle pollution and foster environmental responsibility.
The Hospital Director, Nadia Zangwio, commended the NGO for such initiatives, adding that early detection had been proven to increase survival rates in breast cancer cases.
She said: “The earlier we catch any signs, the greater the options we have for treatment, which ultimately can save lives”.
She said the facility would identify the women who could not afford mammograms and ultrasound breast scans and benefit from the initiative.
As part of the breast cancer awareness month, Ms Zangwio said the hospital had provided discount on the prices of the mammograms and ultrasound breast scans to all.
She said in spite of the discounted prices, many women still could not afford those scans and called on corporate organisations, benevolent people and other NGOs to emulate such gesture.
A General Practitioner at Euracare Advanced Diagnostic and Heart Centre, Dr Collins Abaitey Amuzu, said although the cause of breast cancer was not scientifically proven, some risk factors included family history, gene mutations, early menstruation, late menopause, hormonal contraceptives, smoking, excessive alcohol, and sedentary lifestyle.
Dr Amuzu said symptoms of breast cancer women should look out for included changes in breast size, nipple retraction, dimpling and skin changes like orange peel texture.
He encouraged men to understand the importance of breast cancer awareness and support their partners through the treatment process.
