Every year, the Ghana Pharmaceutical Students Association-KNUST commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October, in epic style. Through educative webinars, infographics, poetry writing competitions, and other engagements, the public is kept well-informed on the subject of breast cancer which affects not only women but also men. In a fashion not witnessed before, the Health and Safety Committee of GPSA-KNUST, in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional branch of the Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana (LAPAG), embarked on a Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, “The Octoboobs” Outreach, at Agona Ahanti on the 18th October, 2024. The outreach, which was based on the rightful and apt theme, ‘’Beyond the Pink: A Journey of Awareness, Treatment and Hope” focused on education, early detection, and treatment optimism of breast cancer.
Prior to the main event, a preparatory tutorial session was held where a knowledgeable resource person trained us on how to properly conduct breast self-examinations and identify potential lumps.
On the day of the actual screening, we had three professional nurses present to conduct breast screenings for participants. Meanwhile, several student volunteers actively went into surrounding communities, including markets and schools, to engage the public, raise awareness about breast health, and encourage regular screening practices.
From the early morning of storming the Agona Ashanti township with the requisite arsenal against breast cancer to the late afternoon of the outreach day, the team of student volunteers from GPSA-KNUST and GPSA-UDS, nurses from Asamang Hospital, representatives from the Lady Pharmacists Association of Ghana -Ashanti served the local community through a cocktail of well-curated activities like educative talk sessions, breast screenings and a radio sensitization at Osranee FM.
The educative talks pooled together an audience from the community, with women making the majority. Expert speakers actively engaged the audience on the topic of breast cancer, tackling pertinent subjects such as its causes, the importance of early diagnosis, treatment options available and vehemently addressed the misconceptions and stigma associated with breast cancer.
Free breast screening? Yes. Through support from generous sponsors like the Agona Traditional Council, Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA)-Ghana, Best Aid Chemist, Pharmacy De Pabloe, free breast cancer screening was conducted by qualified healthcare professionals from Asamang Hospital which was patronized by a total of 76 participants.
Participants also received personal consultations and guidance on self-examination techniques, reinforcing the importance of regular check-ups. Additionally, the necessary financial aid to participants who needed mammograms.
At the premises of the Osranee, a local radio station at Agona, a number of interviews were conducted to educate the public on breast cancer. All and sundry, who tuned in to Osranee FM on the 18th October, 2024 surely enjoyed some educational nuggets from the team on breast cancer.
The success of the “Octoboobs” outreach was painted on the faces of the residents of Agona Ashanti in hues of satisfaction and gratitude and from the numerous good reviews received.
Reported by – Nweatena Buadi Priscilla (Rx 26)