Ghana Health Service Reports Rising Cases of Male Breast Cancer, Urges Public Awareness

Madam Harriet Sobuor, Head of Women and Gender at the Health Services Workers Union of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana, has revealed that the Ghana Health Service is now recording cases of breast cancer among men, including schoolchildren, as part of its breast screening campaign.

This year, over 4,000 cases, encompassing both women and men, have been documented.

Sobuor noted that statistics indicate a concerning number of women die from breast cancer each year and urged the public to prioritize early detection and seek medical attention promptly. “The Health Services Workers Union has committed to ongoing education beyond October, but with this being the pink month, we have intensified our campaign,” she stated.

Her comments came during a breast cancer awareness event organized by the Health Services Workers Union in Cape Coast, coinciding with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She encouraged everyone to request breast screenings at health facilities year-round, not just in October.

Hajia Rahinatu Abdul-Salam, Staff at Tamale Teaching Hospital and National Chairperson for the Union, emphasized the importance of self-examination and called for collective action against breast cancer. She urged government officials, religious leaders, and local authorities to facilitate breast cancer screenings in their communities to help combat the disease.

“If every Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Chief Executive organizes screenings, we could significantly reduce cases,” she said. “Breast cancer is progressing faster than other cancers, so everyone must join the fight against it,” she added.