Mr Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, Executive Director, Meena Breast Cancer Foundation, has encouraged men to put shyness aside and seek help to safeguard their lives against breast cancer.

He said “about two per cent of men – for want of [the actual statistics]” were diagnosed with breast cancer but because “it’s unusual for them – compared to women – it’s not all of them that come out to seek help”.

“As we celebrate breast cancer awareness in the month of October, we urge all persons to avoid any form of stigma associated with cancers,” he appealed, noting: “This will encourage all persons to report breast abnormalities early.”

Mr Kwarteng spoke to the media on the sidelines when the Meena Breast Cancer Foundation observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Ghana International Press Centre, Accra.

He noted Meena Breast Cancer Foundation educated and screened people, among other things, “all year round”.

“Breast cancer is very serious. It spreads very fast. There’s triple negative breast cancer which destroys the body at such a tragic speed. If you get it in January and wait till October, you may be risk your health and life,” Mr Oppong Kwarteng cautioned.

He urged members of the public, especially women, to learn to self-examine their breasts every month to improve early detection for prompt medical care.

The 2024 presser by the Meena Breast Cancer Foundation was themed: ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’.

The Meena Breast Cancer Foundation is led by Madam Nina Ahema Duodu.

She said though “two out of 10 men” get breast cancer, in her estimation, “male breast cancer is violent”.

Though the true cause of breast cancer is not known, Meena Ahema Duodu said risk factors had to be avoided.

Thus, “we need to eat healthily, eat fruits, eat vegetables, stay hydrated, exercise regularly,” she encouraged, “to strengthen your immune system” and reduce one’s chances of getting the breast cancer disease.

Above all, she called on individuals, organisations and the government to recognise breast cancer as a national problem depleting the human resource of the country, and needing urgent attention.