Tarkwa: Gold Fields Ghana’s (GFG’s) commitment to breast cancer screening for its host communities in Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities has yielded positive results, making a difference.
According to Ghana News Agency, at Fiaseman Senior High School in Tarkwa, the Mine recently organized a breast screening exercise for students and staff where issues were identified in eleven individuals who underwent the screening. The medical team, led by Dr. Magdalene Bakari, Lead Specialist of Health Services GFG, informed the media that these individuals were subsequently referred for further examination, with four of them potentially needing surgical procedures.
Dr. Bakari emphasized that there are always success stories for GFG whenever they conduct these exercises to assist in early detection of breast health issues, ultimately saving lives. She highlighted that, with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, GFG dedicated the entire month to screening women and supporting them to ensure their survival.
The screenings are typically conducted to identify health concerns at an early stage, allowing those facing challenges to receive the necessary treatment in a timely manner, thus improving their survival chances. Dr. Bakari urged young ladies and women to regularly check their breasts for any abnormalities and seek immediate medical attention if needed.
Dr. Bakari also highlighted the importance of breastfeeding in protecting women from breast cancer, stating, “One of the things that protects our women from breast cancer is breastfeeding, and not the suckling done by men.” She emphasized the need to ensure women breastfeed and do not deprive babies of essential breast milk.
Furthermore, Dr. Bakari advised girls to abstain from early sex to avoid missing education due to teenage pregnancies. She praised Fiaseman SHS for supporting pregnant students, which she found commendable. She also cautioned against unsafe abortions, encouraging young women to follow through with their pregnancies, have their babies, and continue their education to contribute positively to national development.
Participants, including students and staff, expressed their gratitude to GFG for the significant impact of the program and requested more such initiatives in the future.