Understanding the Risks: Breast Health and Hazards

Madam Mavis Amedzorku, the Midwife in charge of the Adaklu Kodzobi Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) Compound, has advised women against working in hazardous environments.

She said working in environments that emitted mercury could cause breast cancer.

Madam Amedzorku gave the advice, when she engaged nursing mothers and pregnant women, as part of the breast cancer awareness month celebrations, at Adaklu Kodzobi in the Adaklu district.

Madam Amedzorku explained that the month of October has been set aside annually as breast cancer awareness month to educate the public about the disease and its impact on sufferers, families and society at large.

She noted that older adult women were more at risk of the disease than their younger counterparts and cautioned those above 35 years about the excessive use of birth control pills and alcohol intake.

She also advised them to avoid wearing brassieres for long periods, avoid tattooing their breasts and breast enhancing drugs.

The Midwife said due to low awareness creation, most breast cancer cases diagnosed were in their advanced cases, some of which had limited treatment success and high death rates.

Madam Amedzorku entreated women to have their breast examined by a qualified medical officer after every menstrual cycle.

She stated that breast cancer could lead to hair loss, early menopause and infertility.

Madam Amedzorku said breast cancer could be cured if detected early and entreated women to visit the nearest health facility as soon as they felt an abnormal growth in their breasts.