The government has given high marks to Breast Care International (BCI), a Kumasi-based breast cancer awareness NGO, for its efforts at helping to reduce the spread of the disease in the country. Vice President John Dramani Mahama said the government recognized the important contribution of the organization and would give it every necessary support. He was speaking at the start of the historic Susan Komen Ghana “race for the cure of breast cancer” in Kumasi on Wednesday. Organized by BCI, it was the first to be held in West Africa and aimed at mobilizing grass-root participation to highlight the dangers of breast cancer and the need for regular self-examination, for early detection and treatment to prevent deaths. The over 10,000 people, who took part, marched from the Centre for National Culture through some principal streets, ending at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Vice President Mahama expressed the government’s commitment to the fight to rein in the disease and said that explained why he delayed his trip to Ethiopia to attend an extra-ordinary session of the African Union to participate in the race. He advised women to undertake regular self-examination and report any anomalies in their breast to the health facilities, saying, early detection was the surest way of reducing the casualty levels. Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief executive of BCI, said about 2,062 women were last year, diagnosed of the disease in the country. She described the rate of spread as alarming and said there was the need to explore avenues and resources to create awareness. Dr Mrs Addai said BCI would continue to be at the forefront of activities to sustain awareness and called for public support. Mrs Katrina D. Mcghee, Executive Vice President of Susan Komen Foundation, could not hide her joy at the success of the event, noting that, it was the biggest race ever to be organized in Africa. She urged women to spearhead the fight to check the disease in the continent. Source: GNA