FirstBank Ghana is celebrating Pink October month drawing attention to Breast Cancer and the challenges it poses to society at an event which hosted key stakeholders including the medical community.

October is recognised worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and promote education on breast cancer. In observance of Pink October, FirstBank’s Women Network organised a breast cancer awareness event at the Bank’s head office annex in Cantonments, Accra. The aim of the event was to educate women, encourage screening, and promote early treatment.

The theme for this year's Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, "No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone," resonates with the Bank's commitment to supporting health initiatives that improve the lives of Ghanaians.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Mr. Benjamin Sena Fenu, a specialist surgeon from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital emphasised the importance of regular check-ups and self-examinations, explaining, “breast cancer is a disease where abnormal breast cells grow out of control. Early detection and prompt treatment are key to saving lives.” He used an analogy to explain how cancer develops; “think of your breasts as bundles of money packed into a suitcase. If counterfeit notes are mixed in, and as they increase, the suitcase eventually cannot hold them, and that’s when symptoms begin to appear. This is similar to how cancer progresses.”

Mr. Fenu also touched on the various causes of breast cancer, which include excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, hereditary factors, early menstruation, and late menopause.

The event also featured a moving testimony from Mrs. Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, Licensed Counsellor and Executive Secretary of the Breast Society of Ghana, who shared her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor.

Her story of resilience and strength resonated with the audience, as she urged them to have open and frank discussions.

“We must talk about breast cancer openly. It’s not just a statistic; it affects real lives,” Mrs. Kumah-Dzagah highlighted the importance of family support and the resources provided by the Breast Society of Ghana to those battling the disease.

Mrs. Grace Isaac-Aryee, Chairperson of FirstBank’s Women Network, reiterated the importance of acting as a support system for those affected by breast cancer.

She emphasised, “As we raise awareness and fight against breast cancer, we must encourage everyone to get screened because early detection saves lives. Today’s event is not just about wearing pink, it is about taking action and getting yourself examined.”

The event concluded with an interactive session where common misconceptions about breast cancer were addressed, questions about treatment options were answered, and advice on how to support loved ones facing breast cancer was provided.

According to the Breast Society of Ghana, there were 5,026 new cases of breast cancer recorded in 2022, with 2,369 estimated deaths.

Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer among Ghanaian women, with the highest incidence found in women aged 40 to 49.

However, it can affect women as young as 20. Risk factors include being female, advancing age, alcohol consumption, and lifestyle factors.