The Rotary Club of Accra-East, in collaboration with 16 Rotary Clubs, 4 Rotaract Clubs, and 7 partner organisations, organised a successful breast and cervical cancer screening exercise on Saturday, 11th October 2025, at the Madina Market.
The outreach attracted over 170 market women and shoppers eager to learn, get screened, and take charge of their health.
Health professionals at the event educated participants on the importance of regular self-examinations and routine screenings, particularly for women aged 40 and above.
Many women expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, with some admitting it was their first time undergoing a breast or cervical examination. The atmosphere was filled with relief, gratitude, and renewed determination to prioritise personal health.
A health talk, delivered by one of the medical practitioners, highlighted the importance of early detection, balanced nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices in reducing cancer risk.
The session empowered attendees to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Speaking during the exercise, President of the Rotary Club of Accra-East, Rotarian Mary Elorm Addo, explained that the goal was not only to offer free screenings but also to raise sustained awareness about early detection of breast cancer in Ghana.
“We made the event free to the public, which resulted in over 170 women being screened for breast and cervical cancer, with about 35 abnormalities detected,” she noted.
“This campaign aligns with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally every October, and it’s part of our broader effort to promote health and save lives through early detection.”
President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East, Rotarian Emmanuel Sessou, commended the government’s commitment to dedicating October to breast cancer awareness but urged for deeper community involvement.
“Awareness must go beyond policy—it must reach every home and every community,” he said. “I call on churches, mosques, and all religious leaders to join this campaign. Their influence is powerful, and they can help spread the message that breast cancer affects everyone—men included.”
Alongside the breast screenings, over 40 women were screened for cervical cancer. For many, it was their first time accessing such services, and they expressed joy and relief at the opportunity. Participants were also offered free blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
Madam Juliet Obeng, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude and urged other women to prioritise their health.
“I encourage all women to get their breasts screened at least once a year. I’m grateful to Rotary for bringing this initiative to our market and hope they return every year to continue raising awareness.”
President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon, Rotarian Delasie Torgbegah, also commended the initiative’s success, describing it as a practical expression of Rotary’s commitment to community health.
“Our goal was not only to raise awareness but to actively contribute to the wellbeing of our mothers and sisters at the market,” he shared. “We’re proud to have made a difference and look forward to expanding this impact in the coming years.”
Following the success of this year’s Save the Tatas Project, a joint breast and cervical cancer screening campaign, the participating Rotary Clubs announced plans to scale up the initiative to reach more communities each year.
Partner organisations including Stanbic Bank Ghana, La Nkwantanang-Madina Health Directorate, Theos Medical Concierge, The Health Project, Nightingale School of Nursing, Keukenhof Tulpen, and Pantang Hospital expressed pride in collaborating on such a meaningful cause.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting early detection initiatives that save lives.
Participating clubs included the Rotary Clubs of Accra-East, Accra Legon East, Accra Speakmasters, Accra Legon, Accra-Airport East, Accra Dzorwulu, Accra Teshie Nungua, Accra South, Accra North Kaneshie, Osu Oxford Street, Accra Westlands, Akosombo Dam City, Accra North, Accra Achimota, Accra Trinity, Accra Airport Enclave, Rotary Ghana Alumni Association, and the Rotaract Clubs of Accra Adentan, Wisconsin International University College, UPSA, and Accra East.