The CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) Ladies Club has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s health by organising a Breast Cancer Awareness Talk and Screening Programme to promote early detection, encourage preventive healthcare and strengthen support for people affected by the disease.
Held on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at the Institute, the event brought together CSIR-CRI staff, health professionals and ladies from sister institutes, including the CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (CSIR-FORIG) and the CSIR-Building and Road Research Institute (CSIR-BRRI), demonstrating a shared commitment to health and well-being across the CSIR community.
Under the theme “Her Health, Her Strength: Early Detection, A Lifetime of Hope,” the programme carried a compelling call to action: “Stand With Her. Screen. Support. Survive.”
Turning Awareness into Action
Dr. Patricia Pinamang Acheampong, Deputy Director of CSIR-CRI and Patron of the CRI Ladies Club, who chaired the event, underscored the importance of prioritising staff health and creating a supportive environment where women feel encouraged to seek preventive healthcare. She commended the CRI Ladies Club for organising the initiative and highlighted the value of bringing health professionals closer to staff to promote awareness, encourage early detection and help break the stigma surrounding breast cancer. She also welcomed the participation of ladies from CSIR-FORIG and CSIR-BRRI, describing such collaboration as an important step towards strengthening health awareness across the CSIR community.
Delivering the purpose of the gathering, Dr. Harriet Achiaa Dwamena, President of the CSIR-CRI Ladies Club, emphasised that the initiative was about protecting lives, preserving families and encouraging women to prioritise their health. Citing estimates of 5,487 new breast cancer cases and 2,695 deaths in Ghana in 2024, she highlighted the serious impact of the disease and the consequences of late diagnosis. She also drew attention to findings from a Ghanaian hospital study indicating that approximately 89 per cent of staged patients were diagnosed at Stage III or IV.
Dr. Dwamena urged women not to assume they were too young to be affected and encouraged them to seek professional medical advice whenever they noticed unusual breast changes. She also called on men to support women in their lives by encouraging screening, helping them access care and responding to a diagnosis with compassion rather than stigma.
Health Education and Free Screening
The health team from Anwiam Hospital Limited, delivered an educational session covering breast cancer risk factors, warning signs, early detection, diagnosis and treatment options.
Participants learnt to recognise warning signs such as new lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling, nipple changes and unusual discharge. The health professionals stressed that although not every breast lump is cancerous, any new or persistent abnormality requires prompt medical assessment. They also dispelled common myths, including the misconception that breast cancer affects only women or only people with a family history of the disease.
The programme combined education with practical action through free clinical breast examinations, a demonstration of breast self-examination and an interactive question-and-answer session. These activities provided participants with an opportunity to engage directly with health professionals, ask questions and better understand the importance of breast awareness and appropriate screening.
The presentation also highlighted the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices, including regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco, while emphasising that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve outcomes.
A Shared Responsibility
The programme underscored the importance of creating supportive workplaces where staff can access reliable health information and seek medical attention without fear or embarrassment.
A notable highlight was the gentlemen’s pledge of support, led by Dr. Kwadwo Adofo, President of the CRI Research Staff Association (CRI-RSA), under the theme “Stand With Her.” The pledge reinforced the role of men, families and colleagues in encouraging early screening and supporting those affected by breast cancer.
The participation of ladies from CSIR-FORIG and CSIR-BRRI further strengthened the event’s message of solidarity, demonstrating that promoting women’s health is a shared responsibility that extends beyond individual institutions.
From Awareness to Action
The CSIR-CRI Ladies Club urged participants to translate the knowledge gained into action by remaining attentive to changes in their bodies, seeking medical attention promptly and following professional screening advice. The programme also highlighted the need for compassion, confidentiality and freedom from discrimination for people living with breast cancer.
Through the initiative, the Club reaffirmed its commitment to promoting health awareness and well-being within the Institute and the wider CSIR community. The message from the gathering was clear: Screen because knowing matters. Support because no woman should face the journey alone. Survive because every woman deserves the best possible chance of early diagnosis and effective treatment.