GANTA, Nimba County — The fight against breast cancer in Liberia received a significant boost with the launch of a comprehensive Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in Ganta City, Nimba County.
By D. Franklin Doloquee
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the Rev. Dr. Anna S. Kpaan Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, the Ministry of Health and the Ganta United Methodist Hospital and Mission Station.
It aims to promote active awareness, education and early detection of breast cancer throughout various counties, towns, and villages across Liberia, reaching both women and men.
The initiative focuses heavily on early detection as the key to saving lives and offering hope to those affected by this deadly disease.
Rev. Priscilla Legay Gilayeneh, head of the Ganta Mission Station at Ganta United Methodist Hospital, emphasized that the campaign will not only raise awareness but also help prevent breast cancer and reduce deaths due to late diagnosis.
“I am delighted that this awareness campaign is underway,” Rev. Gilayeneh said. “Many women in rural parts of Liberia continue to suffer and die from breast cancer because they lack access to timely information and healthcare services.”
This campaign will help change that reality. “The foundation’s work holds special significance because it honors the late Rev. Dr. Anna S. Kpaan, who sadly passed away in Ghana due to breast cancer.’’
Representing the Kpaan Family, Madam Yeathur M. Brayant expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ganta United Methodist Hospital and other partners for continuing Rev. Dr. Kpaan’s legacy.
“My late mother was a kind and compassionate woman dedicated to saving lives until her passing,” Madam Brayant shared. “This foundation and campaign will help keep her good work alive and continue to save lives.”
In the lead-up to the launch, Ganta United Methodist Hospital Staff, including Dr. Elton Geepea, Mr. Allen Zomonway, Ganta United Methodist hospital Administrator and Rev. Priscilla Legay Gilayeneh, Ganta United Methodist Mission Stations superintendent actively engaged the public through local radio programs.
These broadcasts focused on breast cancer awareness, prevention, and the critical importance of early detection.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Dr. Deddeh E.P. Supuwood, a practicing oncology nurse at JFK Hospital in Monrovia, Gbemi Johnet Davies highlighted the ongoing challenges in treating breast cancer in Liberia.
She provided updates on patient cases at JFK Hospital and underscored the crucial role of awareness campaigns.
According to Davies, since January 2023, the JFK Hospital has treated 124 breast cancer patients, with 11 recorded deaths and 5 patients lost to follow-up. Patients have undergone a total of 520 chemotherapy sessions. From January 2023 to September 2024, 170 breast ultrasounds were performed — 163 on females and 7 on males.
Pathology data from 2024 indicates that out of 130 breast specimens analyzed, 97.6% were from females, with 50% confirmed malignant. Malignant cases among females accounted for 98.46%, with one male case detected.
Healthcare professionals participating in the campaign educated attendees on breast cancer warning signs that require medical attention, including lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in breast shape or size, skin thickening or puckering, nipple inversion or discharge, redness, and scaly or swollen skin on the breast.
Davies urged parents and guardians to actively involve their children, especially girls, in routine health screenings.
She emphasized that breast cancer can be treated successfully, with treatments spanning one to seven years depending on the case.
“Breast cancer is not caused by food, but it is a disease that affects both males and females,” she said. Her message reinforced the importance of understanding risk factors, access to treatment services, and community commitment to early detection.
The campaign drew strong community support, with many attendees sharing their experiences of traveling abroad such as to Ghana and the United States to receive cancer treatment due to insufficient local resources.
Some expressed concern that the government has yet to provide free or affordable cancer medications for patients, underscoring a critical gap in healthcare services.
This awareness campaign marks an important step toward empowering Liberians with knowledge, improving early diagnosis, and enhancing access to treatment. It honors the memory of Rev. Dr. Anna S. Kpaan and strives to reduce the heavy toll breast cancer takes on families throughout Liberia.
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
