SIC Life Insurance LTD has joined the breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at sensitising employees and the general public about the dreadful disease. The exercise formed part of activities commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month observed in October every year. There was also free breast screening for staff to identify any abnormalities in the breast that could be of medical concern. Medical team from the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital ) led the breast cancer screening at the head office of SIC Life in Accra as part of the activities.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of Nursing in charge of Reproductive Health Unit at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), Doris Agyei underscored the need for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. She urged women to conduct frequent self-examination exercises in order to avoid the painful ordeals that come with contracting the disease. Madam Agyei bemoaned the general discomfort, high cost of treatment and the psychological implications, usually leaving patients depressed and lifeless. She urged the government to establish social intervention programmes aimed at assisting women diagnosed with breast cancer, given the high cost of medication.
A stage three breast cancer survivor, Susan Tsotsoo Malik shared her intriguing story of how she went through surgery with staff of SIC Life. She said her determination not to lose hope, helped her win the battle against the dreaded disease. Even though she was mentally strong and not willing to succumb to the disease, the radiation and chemotherapy had their effects on her body. After being to the “butchering” room and back, Mrs. Malik does not wish what she has been through on anybody. For this reason, she has set up a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to increase sensitisation and advocacy in the country. With MaudLoko Breast Cancer Foundation, Mrs Malik hopes to change the fortunes of many others.
President of SIC Life Ladies Association (SICLLA), Anna Rody-Dadzie charged the ladies to be very vigilant and learn more about breast cancer to help them live long. She revealed that two of their members are battling with breast cancer hence the initiative by management is very timely. “Two of our ladies are already in it so the Ladies Association took this as a World Cup. We don’t want anymore and so it is important that we are very vigilant and learn to make sure that this does not happen to us” she stressed. Madam Rody-Dadzie thanked management for catering for the hospital bills of two of the staff battling with breast cancer. She was certain staff will fully benefit from the education shared by health professional and the survivor of breast cancer. “Breast cancer is not a death sentence, it is only early detection that will save our lives” she added.
For her part, Head of Human Resource and Administration, Louise Agyeman-Barning encouraged women to make breast cancer screening a habit. “We should be able to examine ourselves so that we can sense when something is amiss” she stated. The SIC Life Head of Human Resource and Administration also appealed to men to join in the fight against breast cancer. “Men have a role to play not just so breast can be preserved but so life can also be preserved. Encourage your sister, girlfriend, wife or mother to get examined because early detection saves lives”, she observed. Mrs. Agyeman-Barning hoped the staff are better informed and psyched to join the fight against breast cancer. “Breast cancer is a daily fight not an annual observance so let us all join in the fight against breast cancer today and every day of the year till the battle is won. We want more success stories and more breast cancer survivors” she said.
