Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai and Eastern Regional Minister designate, Hon. Dr. Eric Kwakye Darffour
President of Breast Care International has called for increased awareness about the leading risk factors of cancer which includes alcohol, unhealthy diet as the world commemorates World Cancer day.
According to Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, men are increasing getting breast cancer due to these unhealthy lifestyles.
Also, she indicated that, the causes of cancer deaths in men are cancers of the liver and prostate.
Dr. Wiafe Addai who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospitals revealed this during an outreach programme organized by Breast Care in collaboration with Delta Airlines at Nkawkaw in the Eastern region.
As part of the celebrations, BCI handed over ten customized footballs, with the “WE CAN, I CAN” slogan to some selected Senior High Schools, to inculcate the culture of exercising in them, since lack of exercise is known to be a risk factor in the development of the Non communicable Diseases.
Tagging along the global theme of “WE CAN, I CAN”, BCI, she said cancers have had a great toll on mankind, especially those in the deprived communities, and needed to be contained aggressively through intensified public education.
“BCI has reviewed and devised new communication tools and strategies which dovetail into both traditional and social media platforms in our renewed, and unwavering determination to create, and sustain awareness about cancers especially among the youthful population.”
The Breast Cancer advocate bemoaned the increasing number of cancer cases especially among the youth and urged government to join in the campaign to stop the spread.
“We totally reject the increasing number of cancer cases recorded annually at our health institutions, a good number of them very young patients, sufficient reason why we are incorporating social media platforms into our communications strategy to draw the attention of the younger population to the debilitating effects of cancers and the urgent need to report the condition promptly to hospitals for effective treatment.” Dr. Wiafe Addai stated.
She underscored the need for individuals to decide reduce the cancer burden by quitting smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, adopt a healthy diet.
Dr. Wiafe Addai said there was the need to work to improve access to quality, affordable surgery, radiotherapy, essential medicines for persons affected by cancer and for vaccines for cancer-causing infections.
She pledged they together with Delta Airlines would work together with other advocates to keep up the fight against cancer in the country.
Also in attendance were the Eastern Regional Minister designate, Hon. Dr. Eric Kwakye Darffour and actress Nana Ama MacBrown who advised the gathering to report early to the hospital to prevent any cancer related deaths.
