Yellow Ladies Network screens 500 market women for breast cancer

The Yellow Ladies Network, an organization comprising female staff at MTN Ghana, has provided free breast cancer screenings to approximately 500 market women in Accra. Launched to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative specifically targeted women in the capital's busy markets to improve their access to life-saving healthcare services and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis.

Antoinette Kwofie, Chief Finance Officer at MTN Ghana, explained that the network is dedicated to empowering women and ensuring that health services reach those who might otherwise be unable to access them. By bringing the screening program directly to the markets, the network sought to remove the barriers of time and cost that often prevent market traders from visiting hospitals. In addition to the screenings, participants received practical education on breast health and were taught how to perform regular self-examinations.

Medical partner Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addae, who assisted in the exercise, highlighted the urgent need for early detection in managing the disease. She noted that many women in Ghana still face significant social stigma when diagnosed, which can lead to dangerous delays in treatment. Dr. Addae urged women to report any abnormalities to medical professionals immediately rather than relying solely on alternative treatments or hiding their condition.

The health drive addresses a critical public health issue in Ghana, where more than 5,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, resulting in upwards of 2,300 deaths. Through these annual outreach programs, the Yellow Ladies Network aims to increase awareness and reduce the high mortality rate by encouraging a proactive approach to breast health among Ghanaian women.