The use of skin bleaching products by women has been warned to stop because it may raise their chance of developing breast cancer.
Mercury-containing skin-lightening creams have been linked to breast cancer risk among women of African descent.
Women are consequently urged to shun the items, according to Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, President of Breast Care International (BCI), who disclosed it.
That discovery, according to her, was made by studies carried out by the Peace and Love Hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Accra.
Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe, who is also the CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, stated that the National Cancer Institute (NHI) in the United States provided funding for the study.
In the Atwima Nwabiagya North area of the Ashanti region, at the Kwadaso SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College – Kwadaso Campus, the speaker made this statement during a free breast cancer education and screening.
The event, which took place on January 29, 2023, was a part of the “Kick Breast Cancer Out” promotions sponsored by Delta Airline, in association with BCI and Peace and Love Hospitals.
“Ghana Breast Health Study conducted revealed that the use of skin lightening (bleaching) agents like creams, pills and injection may increase the risk of breast cancer,” she warned.
“Apart from contracting skin cancer, using skin bleaching agents may also put the person at breast cancer risk. I, therefore, advise women to desist from the habit,” Dr. Wiafe Addai appealed.
In order to prevent developing the terrible breast cancer disease, the pupils were also urged to do self-breast examination.
According to her, the majority of women get the disease without realizing it, and the only way to prevent it is by clinical screening and self-examination.
“Regular screening of the breasts helps in detecting lumps as well as reporting any changes of the breasts to the hospital would lead to early diagnosing and treatment,” she stated.
The nursing trainees who had their breasts clinically screened expressed their profound gratitude to Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai and believed that the education will go a long way in shaping their lifestyles,
The Principal of Kwadaso SDA Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Daniel Atta Tuffour, said the knowledge acquired in the program would help the nurses to also educate their families on the disease.
He also added his voice on the adaptation of regular self-examination and clinical breast cancer screening to avoid the late stage of the disease.
