The Royal Ladies Ministry, the women’s division of Royalhouse Chapel International (RCI), Immanuel Temple, East Legon, has organised a breast cancer education and screening event aimed at promoting early detection and prevention among both women and men in the church.
The event, held on Sunday, November 2, at the church premises, formed part of the ministry’s annual health awareness campaign. It featured health talks, demonstrations on self-examination, and free medical screenings, among other activities.
Rev. Elect Mrs. Theresa Dela Amanor, President of the Royal Ladies Ministry at Immanuel Temple, said the initiative aligns with the global fight against breast cancer and was inspired by the vision of Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah and his wife, Apostle Mrs. Rita Korankye Ankrah.
“Women are often the most affected by this ‘demon’ called breast cancer,” she said. “Our mother, Apostle Rita Korankye Ankrah, has always led the campaign for awareness, and we are following in her footsteps. Early detection saves lives, and that is what we are here to promote.”
She emphasised that the church’s role extends beyond prayer to include education and practical health support.
“Some people believe that when they find a lump, they should only pray about it or use traditional means,” she noted. “But Jesus emphasised that ‘the sick need a physician.’ So, it is not wrong to go to the hospital for proper medical attention.”
Rev elect Theresa Dela Amanor
Rev. Elect Mrs. Amanor added that the programme seeks to dispel myths surrounding breast cancer, including stigma and the misconception that the disease is purely spiritual.
“As the Bible advises, ‘watch and pray.’ Let’s prioritise our health by being vigilant and proactive. When we notice any issues, let’s combine prayer with medical attention. Faith and action go hand in hand,” she said. “It is better to go to the hospital and be told it’s nothing than to sit in fear and lose your life.”
She also commended the church’s Second Generation (2G) Ladies for championing the campaign theme, ‘Spot It, Stop It, Survive’, which encourages regular breast checks, early reporting of abnormalities, and professional medical care.
Dr. Efua Antwiwaa Thompson
Dr. Efua Antwiwaa Thompson, a final-year resident in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, led the medical screening team. She underscored the importance of early diagnosis.
“Breast cancer is an abnormal growth in the breast that becomes cancerous and can cause serious health complications if not detected early,” she explained. “Our goal is to create awareness in churches, workplaces, and communities because early detection saves lives.”
Dr. Thompson noted that delayed diagnosis often allows the disease to spread to vital organs such as the lungs, liver, spine, and stomach, making treatment more difficult. She encouraged women to make regular screenings a priority and to learn self-examination techniques.
The event also included free prostate cancer screening for men. Sonographer Eric Saka Boateng from Royal Medical Diagnostics, Korle Bu, advised men over 40 to undergo annual prostate checks, explaining that the disease often shows no early symptoms.
“Prostate cancer in its early stages does not have any symptoms. By the time signs appear, it might already be advanced,” he said. “That’s why regular screening is so important. Don’t wait for symptoms before getting checked.”
Mr. Boateng further advised men with a family history of prostate or breast cancer to begin testing at age 35, reassuring participants that the process is simple and painless.
“It’s not as uncomfortable as people think,” he said. “Once you go through it, you’ll realise it’s nothing to fear.”
The screening attracted a large number of church members, many of whom expressed appreciation for the initiative. Leaders of the Royal Ladies Ministry said the event demonstrated the church’s commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of its members — spiritually, physically, and emotionally — and pledged to continue championing community health awareness programmes.
