Nsawam (E/R) – The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise preventive measures and early detection in the fight against breast cancer.
She said huge sums were spent annually on treatment and management of the disease, which could often be prevented or effectively treated when diagnosed early.
Dr Lartey made the call when she led a team from the Ministry to the Nsawam Female Prison to conduct free breast cancer screening, sensitisation, and donations for inmates.
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The Ministry donated an undisclosed amount of money to support the refurbishment of the inmates’ kitchen, as well as sanitary pads, washing powder, bottled drinks, sachets and bottled water, and bags of rice.
October each year is marked globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year’s observance was themed: “Catch it Early; Treat it Right; Survive it.”
Dr Lartey emphasised that early detection through frequent screening, proper treatment, and sustained awareness were the three vital pillars that saved lives.
“When breast cancer is detected early, treated, and properly managed, survival rates increase dramatically,” she said.
She noted that breast cancer remained one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana and worldwide, yet many of those deaths were preventable.
According to her, breast cancer was not merely a medical condition but a national health and social concern that affected livelihoods, families, and communities.
The Minister urged the public to embrace regular health checks and to discard fear, stigma, and cultural misconceptions that discouraged women from seeking medical attention.
She also called for continuous public education, expanded access to affordable screening, and the delivery of treatment and care with dignity and compassion.
Dr Lartey reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding access to medical information, and prioritising preventive health interventions in both urban and rural areas.
She assured inmates whose screenings revealed potential health concerns that the Ministry would assist them to receive appropriate medical care.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Nsawam Female Prison, Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) Mrs Victoria Adzewodah, expressed appreciation to the Ministry for extending its outreach to the facility.
“This thoughtful initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to equity, inclusivity, and the belief that health awareness must reach every woman — regardless of her circumstance or location,” Mrs Adzewodah said.
She added that the sensitisation programme had deepened the inmates’ understanding of breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, and preventive practices, describing it as a collective step towards promoting women’s health and well-being.
