Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has admonished Ghanaians to refrain from the over- reliance on spiritualists for the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer.“We must use science and technology to solve our problems and stop attributing everything to witchcraft”, he said, adding “If you go to hospital for treatment, you have not broken the laws of God”.
Breast cancer walk
Mr Kufuor was addressing a gathering at the Sunyani Jubilee Park in the Brong Ahafo Region.
He took part in this year’s breast cancer walk organised by Breast Care International (BCI), which was on the theme: “BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure 2014”.
The walk, initiated by the BCI in 2011, continues to attract people from diverse backgrounds.
Former President Kufuor explained that the country had medical experts who could handle breast cancer cases and that breast cancer patients should seek early treatment to avoid having their breasts removed.
“God has given our scientists knowledge to work for our own good. Let us use our specialists”, he advised, stressing that “we should not be too spiritual on issues that science can solve”.
Seek early treatment
Mr Kufour, however, expressed worry over situations where victims of breast cancer waited until their conditions had advanced before going to the hospital for medical attention.
The President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, entreated women to go for breast cancer examination at least once every month for early detection of the disease, adding “about 60 per cent of pre-menopausal women fall vulnerable to breast cancer”.
She said education on breast cancer would help to bring the disease under control, noting that late presentation of cases to health facil.ties was the major cause of many victims having their breasts removed.
She, therefore, implored women to not allow fear to prevent them from seeking early treatment.
Dr Wiafe Addai expressed satisfaction about this year’s walk and indicated BCI’s commitment to continuing with the annual breast-care walk, in support of the country’s breast cancer awareness and education programme.
She said the disease was on the rise in the Brong Ahafo Region, and therefore, called for immediate action to curb the situation.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku, entreated breast cancer patients to stop using herbs to treat the disease and seek hospital care.
In addition, he said religious leaders, traditional rulers and journalists should join the campaign on breast cancer.
