ACCRA – Monday October 18, 2021: The Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS) has organised a breast cancer sensitisation and screening programme for its staff as part of activities to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Director of Administration, Ms. Golda Grace Asante who opened the event emphasised the importance of such an exercise and encouraged female staff to participate in the screening process. She indicated that the screening exercise marks the beginning of a Coorporate Wellness Programme which will soon rollout for all staff at the OHLGS. The programme she said will include sensitisation and screening exercises on breast and cervical cancer, work related stress amongst others.
Dr. Sandra Ashong, a medical officer of Easy Healthwase Consult delivered a presentation on Breast Cancer which focused on the complications of breast cancer. Her presentation educated staff on other breast diseases that are not necessarily cancerous some of which includes breast pain, gnecomastia, cysts, fibroadonomas and breast tenderness. She also mentioned that breast cancer can also affect the brain, heart and can even cause infertility issues. She indicated that the cliché that the older you get the more prone you are to get breast cancer is beginning to change so everyone needs to be on guard. Breast cancer she said can be prevented if one is physically active, keeps weight in check, eats fruits and vegetables, avoids alcohol, avoids smoking, breastfeed if possible and not forgetting early screening. Frequent screening, she said will do a lot of good and must be adopted by all.
An open forum afforded staff the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification on concerns after which they were taken through the screening process.