Female Journalists for Women and Rural Development in Africa (FJWoRDA) and B4 Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation have organised a breast screening exercise at Brafoyaw, a suburb of Cape Coast.
The exercise was aimed at creating awareness on breast cancer among women, to enable them seek early treatment. It was also used to educate them on sexual and gender based violence.
A total of 19, out of the 150 community members who took part in the screening, were referred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for further screening.
The Executive Director of FJWoRDA, Mrs Shirley Asiedu-Addo, in her address stated that, breast cancer continue to affect families and communities across the world.
“As female Journalists, we are not just writers and broadcasters. We are mothers, wives, sisters, children, as well as neighbours, and everything that affects the community affects us too,” she said.
She further said: FJWoRDA decided to use October to reach out to the community to create awareness and encourage prompt treatment for any abnormalities detected with the breasts.
She stated that there is life beyond breast cancer if detected early and treated promptly.
Mrs Asiedu-Addo encouraged women to take care of themselves first in order for them to play the critical roles in the development of their families, communities and country.
She urged women to go for regular checkups and seek prompt health care.
She further urged other organisations to support efforts at reaching out to the communities.
An officer with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, Mr Richard Twum Boadi, urged the participants to take keen interest in domestic violence issues and also report such issues early for immediate action.
He stated that about 80,000 girls, between the ages of 12 and 18, were co-habiting with their boyfriends nationwide, out of which about 50,000 had already given birth or pregnant.
He said “with this, it is the poverty level that keeps increasing”.
He appealed to parents especially mothers to educate adolescents on their sexuality and the implications associated with premarital sex.
The Executive Director for B4 Foundation, Ursula Adadzewa Fynn, indicated that the core function of the foundation was to help women and the under-privileged in the society.
She encouraged the women to cultivate good and healthy lifestyles and also go for regular check-up.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude towards the kind gesture.
