The country’s favourite award-winning radio mid-morning show on Joy FM, Cosmopolitan Mix, is taking steps to educate listeners on breast cancer this month. 

The show in collaboration with Trust Hospital in Accra is dedicating October to educate listeners and address their questions on Breast Cancer on its new segment ‘Pick October’.

Since 1985, October has been dedicated to creating breast cancer awareness. The yearly campaign intends to educate people about the importance of early screening, test and more.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. Although breast cancer can occur in both men and women, it’s far more common in women.

Breast cancer survival rates have increased, and the number of deaths associated with this disease is steadily declining, largely due to factors such as earlier detection, a new personalized approach to treatment and a better understanding of the disease.

Hence, the Cosmopolitan Mix team is taking steps with it’s ‘Pink October’ agenda to not only discuss breast cancer but also share tips daily on how to detect and survive breast cancer. 

Speaking at the launch on the Cosmopolitan Mix on Joy FM Tuesday, Dr Victoria Parky-Newman from the Trust Hospital said although there has not been any cause of breast cancer, risk factors including age and family history can trigger breast cancer.

“That is why it is important for women to do a routine check,” she told Mamavi Owusu-Aboagye, host of the show.

She urged ladies to check their breast every month, a week after menstruation and on menopause.

A breast cancer survivor, Vivian Gyasi-Sarfo added that “it takes courage determination, strong will and focus, to accept the diagnoses.”

The President of Peace-Love Survivors Association (PALSA) said she had to accept her situation after seeing her sister and cousin diagnosed with it.

“The possibility of getting breast cancer is real, so anytime you see a breast screening program somewhere find the time and get screened because the end stage of it is very terrible,” she stated.

Singer Becca, who was also on the show said she thought she was safe from risk factors like family history and age until Dr Parky-Newman urged women who give birth late or in their 30s to be alert.

From left to right: Becca, Dr Victoria Parky-Newman, Santokh Singh, Vivian Gyasi-Sarfo and Mamavi Owusu-Aboagye

“This communication is important for all. Mothers, take along your teenage daughters when going for screening. You do not have to wait till the month of October only,” she added.

The ‘Yes I Do’ singer pledged to join the campaign and be present for every screening session.

Managing Director of Multi TV, Santokh Singh, who had to see his sister go through breast cancer also urged listeners to get screened and be alert for any changes that they observe in their breast.

“I always say half the battle is mental and the other half is medication,” he said.

The Cosmopolitan Mix team will bring listeners discussions which will feature doctors, educators and survivors like Mrs Gyasi-Sarfo who would share their story each week on the show.

Just as the members of the weight loss challenge had been engaged in weekly training, the Cosmopolitan Mix team will have listeners join them and Trust Hospital at various corporate venues for screening sessions every Wednesday in October.

The official song dedicated to ‘Pink October’ is Becca’s ‘African Woman’.