WNC ORGANISES BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The Western Naval Command (WNC) organised a breast cancer awareness health walk and lecture at the Command in Sekondi. The activities were in commemoration of the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month under the theme “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Commodore Stephen Billins Nyam, commended personnel for their active participation and support for the breast cancer awareness campaign and urged everyone to take breast cancer screening seriously. Commodore Nyam emphasised that breast cancer was a health concern that could affect anyone, regardless of gender, and called on personnel to take proactive steps towards safeguarding their health through regular screening and early detection. He further encouraged female personnel in particular, to take advantage of the screening services available at the Medical Centre and assured them that the facility remained open to everyone seeking screening and related medical assistance.

The Senior Medical Officer (SMO), WNC Medical Centre, Naval Lieutenant Abdul-Baqi Ali-Attaruwa, said that breast cancer awareness had been heightened, with emphasis placed on women getting regular check-ups and seeking early medical care for a better chance at successful treatment. He added that the campaign was an excellent way to educate the population, encourage screening and early detection, and stressed that awareness needed to be raised throughout the year.

The SMO indicated that the community outreach was intended to educate people, debunk misconceptions, and encourage prompt action and timely medical evaluation. He noted that breast cancer remained a major public health concern, as the number of new cases reported globally was increasing. He said that early diagnosis was crucial, since the disease could sometimes not be detected through physical examination. He urged both women and men to consult their healthcare professionals about the most suitable screening procedure, including mammography, and noted that women aged 40 years or older were generally advised to have mammograms regularly.