Samira Bawumia Urges Ghanaians to End Stigma Against Breast Cancer Patients, Calls on Men to Get Involved
Credit: Agyei Kwaku Mensah
The former Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia, has called on Ghanaians to stop stigmatizing individuals living with breast cancer and urged men to actively participate in the fight against the disease.
Speaking at Cape Coast, Hajia Samira emphasized the need for collective national effort to raise awareness, promote early detection, and provide support to affected persons. She advised women to undertake regular medical check-ups, noting that breast cancer is treatable when detected early.
The event was organized by her foundation, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), which provided free breast cancer screening for over 2,000 women in Cape Coast. Participants were also screened for other health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and related ailments.
Addressing the gathering, Hajia Samira noted that the global theme for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month — “Early Detection Saves Lives” — underscores the importance of regular screening and education. She revealed that approximately 4,000 Ghanaian women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, with nearly half losing their lives due to late detection.
“We must not stigmatize breast cancer patients. It is not an infectious disease. Instead, we should show them love, care, and support. Early detection is key to saving lives,” she stated.
Dr. Ruben Aninkora of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, who led a health education session at the event, taught participants how to perform self-breast examinations and identify early warning signs of breast cancer.
Also present were the former Members of Parliament for Mfantseman and Awutu Senya East, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford and Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, who both encouraged women to take their health seriously and go for regular medical check-ups.
A breast cancer survivor also shared her inspiring story, recounting how early detection and timely treatment helped her overcome the disease.
The initiative forms part of SEHP’s ongoing commitment to women’s health empowerment, particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally every October.
