SEDARVP-GHANA in collaboration with Marie’s Stopes International embarked on a breast cancer orientation and screening exercise on the 23rd October 2021, at Zoggu- a community under the Nanton District.
This initiative was carried out with the primary aim of awareness creation through sensitization and also to screen the women in the community for breast cancer as October is uniquely celebrated as breast cancer awareness creation month.
The health expect, Madam Alidu Fadillah, a nurse from Marie’s Stopes walked the community women of different age groups through the dangers of breast cancer, it early detection and symptoms. She advised the women to constantly visit the nearest community health centers to check their weight. She led them to understand that being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer; especially after menopause.
The health expect encouraged the women to eat to adopt good eating habit as a healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer.
Madam Fadilla also advised that breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer. Having a lot for health benefits for the child as well.
She concluded by putting an emphasis that the women should avoid birth control pills, particularly after age 35. According to her, birth control pills have negative effects on women beyond the age 35. Women taking birth control pills have increased risks of breast cancer.
The women through the assembly member of the community express their sincere thanks and appreciation to SEDARVP GHANA and her partners for extending this benevolence service to the community.
Mr. Abdul-Wasir Mohammed , together with Mr. Ismail, Ms. Farhana Issah , Ms. Huda Haruna, and Ms. Samira Braima who represented SEDARVP GHANA to thank the women, the assembly member and stakeholders in the community for cooperating with SEDARVP GHANA and her partners to have a successful program. He pledged SEDARVP GHANA’s readiness to offer more humanitarian services to the Zoggu community.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not everyone applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check
It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2. Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol
A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under). While moderate drinking can be good for the heart in older adults, even low levels of intake can increase the risk of breast cancer. If you don’t drink, don’t feel you need to start. If you drink moderately, there’s likely no reason to stop. But, if you drink more, you should cut down or quit.
4. Don’t Smoke
Smokers and non-smokers alike know how unhealthy smoking is. On top of lowering quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and at least 15 cancers – including breast cancer – it also causes smelly breath, bad teeth, and wrinkles. Now that’s motivation to stay smoke-free or work to get smoke-free.
5. Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
6. Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35 or If You Smoke
Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill. The risk of stroke and heart attack is also increased while on the pill – particularly if a woman smokes. However, long-term use can also have important benefits, like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, colon cancer and uterine cancer – not to mention unwanted pregnancy – so there’s also a lot in its favor. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.
