Advocacy Campaign: Breast Care International Approach

Abstract

Background and context: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Ghanaian women, but it has been identified as 1 of the neglected noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In 2012, GLOBOCAN reported that ∼2260 people were diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana with a high age standardized mortality rate of 11.7 per 100,000. Although, it is acknowledged that early detection and prompt action reduces mortality, 80% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients delay presentation. It is a well-known fact that cancers are now killing more people in Africa than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. Due to lack of awareness about cancers and late reporting of the cases, a lot of cancer patients get very little intervention and support and that explains why most cancer deaths occur in Africa, especially women in rural areas. Breast Care International (BCI), a nongovernmental organization in Ghana, established in 2002, is a leading breast cancer advocacy organization in Africa providing an enabling environment to enhance early detection and reduce the late-stage presentation of breast cancer. Aim: To maximize personal and community wellness through community participation, excellence in public health education, empowering people to save lives and to end late-stage presentation of breast cancer in Ghana. Strategy/Tactics: To enhance early detection and reduce late-stage presentation of breast cancer in Ghana by disintegrating the myths and misconception about breast cancer. Program/Policy process: BCI has been conducting outreach awareness programs in Ghana to women groups, educational institutions, churches and social groups, especially those in deprived communities, educating them on breast self-examination (BSE) and then clinically screening the women. The involvement of breast cancer survivors to share their testimonies on various platforms to demystify breast cancer as an incurable disease and the misconceptions of it being from ancestral curses. Community-based nurses trained in basic oncology are to be deployed to the district level to create awareness about breast health and other NCDs at the grass root level with the aim of detecting breast cancer early for a prompt referral to health facilities for further management. Outcomes: BCI’s demand-driven outreach awareness campaigns and screening programs have been empowering women to perform their BSE and as a result most patients report to the hospital with lumps and abnormalities that were detected during their BSE. What was learned: Although, BCI has been intensively involved in breast cancer advocacy programs in Ghana, a concerted effort is required from opinion leaders, political figures, health service providers, organized groups and business organizations to assist to control the incidence of breast cancer in Ghana.