Mr. Speaker, thanks for this opportunity to make a Statement on a disease that is killing the women of Ghana. Breast cancer has been defined variously and according to the Wikipedia Web Dictionary, it is a cancer of the breast tissues or a cancerous tumor of the breast tissues.
Mr. Speaker, worldwide, breast cancer
is the most common form of cancer in female. But it is instructive to note that although it affects mostly females, research has shown that men too are at risk although less likely.
The Breast
Mr. Speaker, in order to understand breast cancer, it is helpful to have some basic knowledge about the normal structure of the breasts.
Mr. Speaker, until puberty, young boys and girls have a small amount of breast tissue consisting of a few ducts located under the nipple and areola. In males, hormones produced by the testicles prevent further growth of breast tissue.
Mr. Speaker, God in His own wisdom, allows the females of both humans and animals to produce milk to suckle their babies and the young.
Because women have many more breast cells than men do and because their cells are constantly exposed to the growth- promoting effects of female hormones, breast cancer is much more common in women. Like all tissues and cells of the body, breast duct cells can undergo cancerous changes.
Mr. Speaker, it is a well-known fact that a lot of women are out there with different sizes of lumps in their breasts and probably with cancers at various stages but have refused or are afraid to come forward for screening.
Their fear is due to the fact that women are aesthetically attached to their breasts and fear its removal, should it be diagnosed as cancerous and warrants a removal.
Mr. Speaker, it is for this reason that the
Women Caucus in Parliament as women themselves are championing the Crusade Against Breast Cancer to get the message across to all our colleague women all over Ghana and the rest of the world to seek help early and in so doing save their breasts.
What is Being Done
Mr. Speaker, various interventions have been put in place to ensure the reduction of the incidence of Breast Cancer. Of significance is the Pink month of October, which is declared as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every year in October, sufferers, survivors and friends come out with programmes to sensitize people on the situation.
Indeed in Ghana, Mr. Speaker, a float was organized this year in collaboration with some organisations and embassies to highlight the seriousness of the disease in Ghana.
Some Statistics
Mr. Speaker, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and there are several possible methods for its early detection through screening.
Mr. Speaker, if facilities are available, screening by mammography alone, with or without physical examination of the breasts, plus follow-up of individuals with positive or suspicious findings, will reduce mortality from breast cancer by up to one-third among women aged 50-69 years. According to the WHO, much of the benefit is obtained by screening once every 2-3 years.
In addition, there is also Breast Self Examination (BSE) which is a simple self- examination, now taught to all women to assist in early detection and treatment.
Mr. Speaker, it is alarming to note that over 400 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed at the breast clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital every year. What is more alarming is that the doctors are saying that if 100 women are screened for the disease, 10 or more may be found to have breast cancer. Indeed, this means that over 10 per cent of our women are at risk and should take the disease seriously.
The Oncology Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) also recorded a total of 462 cases of different types of cancers last year, and Mr. Speaker, of this figure, 102 of the cases were diagnosed as breast cancer cases.
Conclusion
Mr. Speaker, looking at the statistics above, and which may just be a tip of the iceberg, I find the effort by the Women's caucus of Parliament a very timely one.
That notwithstanding, it is important that Government through its Ministries, Departments and in collaboration with NGOs, organisations, educational institutions, development partners and the media champion this crusade with information, education, sensitization and putting in place outreach screening programmes to cover the entire length and breadth of the country. Indeed, men whose wives may be affected should also join the crusade against the disease and encourage their wives, daughters and nieces to do Breast Self Examination (BSE) and seek early help.
Mr. Speaker, I believe efforts in this direction would go a long way in early case detection that would save our women of Ghana.
As most hon. Members are aware, the Caucus would be holding a seminar on
