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The Kpeshie Medical Center (KMC) in collaboration with Headquarters Southern Command (Hq S/Comd) has held a breast cancer awareness campaign at Kpeshie Ridge and Wajir barracks in Teshie on Friday 25 October, 2024.The event forms part of efforts by the Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services (GAFMS) to create awareness and advocacy against breast cancer among soldiers and their families in the barracks and the need to take adequate steps to initiate early detection, prevention, and management of the disease.The event commenced with a route march of military personnel and their families from the Oppong-Peprah square at Hq S/Comd carrying placards and banners depicting messages of breast cancer awareness through Whistler barracks and Wajir barracks, all in Teshie Camp amid brass band music.

The Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Oncology at the International Maritime Hospital (IMAH), Dr. Marc Kwame Dzradosi (PharmD), who was the guest speaker at the event indicated that breast cancer occurs almost entirely among women, however, a small percentage of men are also susceptible to the disease hence the need for a concerted effort to fight the disease.He bemoaned the rampant canker of stigmatization against persons living with breast cancer, saying; “The desire to eliminate breast cancer has become subservient to the stigmatization that has arisen in our society as if the whole society is apprehensive that breast cancer is infectious so if one has it, you will have it”.Dr Dzrakosi stressed that stigma against persons with breast cancer impacts negatively on their psycho-social well-being and therefore urged all to demystify their minds of the negativity surrounding the disease.He reiterated that breast cancer is real and presents symptoms such as skin dimpling and discolouration around the breast area, bloody discharge, lumps and pain in the breast, which is completely treatable if diagnosed early, with surgery, medicine and chemotherapy, coupled with healthy dieting.For her part, the Nursing Officer in Charge (NOIC) of  medical Pool for 5 Garrison, Col Patience Awumee indicated that GAFMS annually as part of the global breast cancer awareness month in October conducts a campaign to create awareness on the disease and provide advocacy for screening and management.She opined that the effects of westernization, artificial sweeteners in food and lifestyle modifications among Ghanaians have contributed to the prevalence of breast cancer among the populace, and advocated for self-breast examination and periodic screening to detect and manage the situation early.The Chief of Nursing and Midwifery at the 37 military hospital, Col Patience Owusu-Aidoo, the NOIC surgical division at the 37 military hospital, Capt (GN) Ocansey, as well as other medical officials, were present at the event.