Racheal Regina Hesse
Midwifery Officer at the Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Mrs. Racheal Regina Hesse, has called on corporate bodies to prioritise breast cancer advocacy at the Nsawam Female Prison, where many inmates suffer without help.
Speaking at the 3rd edition of the MiKAFUI Pink Conference (MiPiCON) 2026, held under the theme, “Closing the Care Gap: Actionable Advocacy” at the Nsawam Female Prison, Mrs. Hesse said advocacy should not exempt female inmates.
“I engaged the inmates on how to examine their breast a week after their menses. You position that part of the arm at your back to a bit elevate the breast. You can do that in the standing position or when you are lying down, and then palpate the breast in a circular motion towards the armpit or axillary region because that is where the breast extends to,” she noted.
Mrs. Hesse said the inmates were actively involved, standing on their feet to practice how to examine the breast, with many asking questions.
“One of them was confused about excess flesh seen at the armpit, of which I explained that we vary in our genetic makeup and some may have excess skin or fat. If you pick up any lump or abnormality, report it,” she said.
She listed warning signs to watch out for, including inverted nipples, one breast becoming proportionally bigger than the other, and patches around the breast.
“If you see one, don’t wait to see the other. You need to connect to your guard or instructor. They will take you to the nearest hospital for examination to rule out whether it is cancer or not,” she advised.
The session also featured a breast cancer survivor who shared her experience after going through radiation, chemotherapy and surgery, which Mrs. Hesse said made the inmates appreciate the reality of the disease.
She stressed that although October is set aside to create breast cancer awareness, education and screening must continue daily, adding that breast cancer does not discriminate based on breast size.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke