From Yaaba Yamikeh, Tarkwa
Gold Fields Ghana has held a breast health and menopause awareness forum to improve the health and well-being of people living in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea-Huni Valley municipalities.
Dubbed the Pinktober Health Forum, the event, held on Wednesday, formed part of activities marking this year’s campaign to raise awareness of the two health conditions under the theme, “Beyond the Pink: The Full Picture.”
The forum was organised by the Employee Well-Being Department of Gold Fields Ghana, with support from other mining companies and health organisations, including Ghana Manganese Company, Heath Goldfields, Damang Mine, Lancet Laboratories and Euracare.
Employees of the participating mining companies, their spouses, identifiable women’s groups, female senior high school students and members of the host communities attended the event.
Participants were sensitised to various topics, including “Understanding Menopause,” “Breast Cancer: Know Your Risk, Catch It Early” and “The Mind Matters,” by female health specialists.
The programme also featured panel discussions, demonstrations on the early detection of breast cancer and screening exercises. Some breast cancer survivors shared their experiences to encourage others to seek timely medical attention.
Awareness month
October is observed annually as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with various healthcare organisations and partnerships using the period to raise awareness of the disease and advocate improved access to screening, treatment and care. The forum also highlighted menopause and the need for better understanding and support for women experiencing it.
Dr Magdalene Bakari, Lead Specialist for Health Services at Gold Fields Ghana, said the forum was intended not only to raise awareness but also to encourage participants to support one another and eliminate stigma associated with the two health conditions.
She said Gold Fields Ghana placed people at the centre of its operations and, consequently, prioritised the health needs of its employees and people in its host communities to promote their well-being and productivity.
“Gold Fields wants everybody to be in good health to efficiently support its operations and also execute their individual economic ventures because a sound mind is in a sound body,” she said.
Dr Bakari noted that although the company routinely organised general health awareness programmes and screening exercises in its host communities, there was a need to intensify education on breast cancer and menopause to help women better understand and manage the conditions.
She said this informed the company’s decision to collaborate with other organisations every October to increase public awareness and promote early detection and appropriate care.
Accurate information
In her presentation, Dr Annabel Amina Bawa, a gynaecologist, discussed breast cancer and menopause, urging participants to seek accurate medical information rather than rely on misconceptions surrounding the conditions.
She said breast cancer was neither contagious nor caused by witchcraft, while menopause was a natural stage of life rather than a disease.
Dr Bawa urged participants and Ghanaians in general to discard misconceptions about the two conditions and seek professional medical advice when necessary.
She explained that women living with breast cancer and those experiencing menopause could face physical, emotional and psychological challenges associated with hormonal changes and the effects of their conditions. She, therefore, called for greater support, understanding and compassion for affected women.
She also encouraged employers to provide flexible working arrangements and supportive workplace environments to enable women experiencing menopause to remain comfortable and productive.
Common cancer
A surgeon at Koforidua Hospital in the Eastern Region, Dr Serah Kaneh Adunah, described breast cancer as one of the most common cancers affecting women.
She said an estimated 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer annually, adding that men could also develop the disease.
Dr Adunah cited research indicating that women faced a significant lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and stressed the importance of regular screening and early detection.
She said early detection and prompt, appropriate treatment could significantly improve outcomes for patients.
She, therefore, urged people diagnosed with breast cancer to seek treatment at recognised health facilities rather than rely solely on herbal remedies or spiritual interventions.
Dr Vida Badu Oppong, a psychologist, said psychological support was essential for people affected by breast cancer and women experiencing menopause.
She urged patients to seek professional psychological support as soon as their conditions were diagnosed or identified.
According to her, such support could help alleviate patients’ fears, strengthen their emotional resilience and prepare them to cope with the challenges associated with their conditions.
