A Laboratory Scientist, Amos Atingane Awinboebo, has urged people diagnosed with breast cancer not to lose hope, stressing that early detection, timely treatment and appropriate medical care can significantly improve their chances of survival.
Speaking on Voices of Change on Mike FM on Saturday October 10, Awinboebo said breast cancer was not a death sentence, encouraging patients to seek medical attention promptly and adhere to recommended treatment.
“Breast cancer is not a death sentence. You can still live your best life with early detection and accurate treatment,” he said.
He explained that breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour that can spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early.
Awinboebo noted that although breast cancer has no single known cause, several factors could increase a person’s risk of developing the disease including ageing, genetic changes, family history, hormonal influences, obesity, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity.
To help reduce the risk, he encouraged the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, including maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking.
He also urged people to seek medical advice and participate in recommended breast cancer screening and early-detection programmes, noting that prompt diagnosis and treatment could improve outcomes.
Awinboebo further appealed to families and communities to provide emotional and psychological support to people living with breast cancer, emphasising that compassion and understanding were essential in helping patients cope with the challenges associated with the disease.
“Families and loved ones should provide emotional support, love, encouragement and understanding to breast cancer patients to help them cope with the psychological challenges of the disease and strengthen their hope for recovery,” he said.
He also cautioned against misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, particularly the belief that it affects only older women, explaining that the disease could affect people of different age groups.
He further dispelled the misconception that men could not develop breast cancer, stressing that although the disease was less common in men, they were also at risk.
Awinboebo therefore encouraged men to take breast cancer awareness seriously and seek prompt medical attention whenever they noticed unusual changes in their breasts.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Cynthia Afaah
