Dr. Josephine Nsaful, executive member, BSoG

The Breast Society of Ghana (BSoG) is advocating an end to the stigmatisation of breast can­cer patients and survivors, emphasis­ing the need for increased awareness and education.

This call was made at the launch of the society’s breast cancer awareness month, dubbed ‘Pinktober,’ held in Accra last Friday.

An executive member of BSoG, Dr Josephine Nsaful, stressed that the initiative was crucial in ensuring that individuals battling breast cancer were not left alone during their difficult journey.

She stated that breast cancer af­fects over 2.3 million women globally, making it essential to raise awareness and intensify educational efforts to save more lives.

“Stop the stigmatisation and edu­cate more people to seek early care,” Dr Nsaful said, urging churches and community groups to play a role in ed­ucating the public about the disease.

She said breast cancer was not a spiritual ailment and can be effective­ly treated if detected early.

“Early detection saves lives,” she noted.

Dr Nsaful expressed concern about women losing their lives to a disease that is treatable, leaving behind families and children, and stressed the importance of early medical interven­tion.

She added that it was unacceptable and tragic that women were dying when there were available treatments that could save them.

The President of BSoG, Dr Hannah Ayettey Anie, also called for intensi­fied efforts to dispel myths and mis­conceptions about breast cancer.

She lamented that many women refused medical treatment due to false beliefs about the disease, often resorting to ineffective methods, only to seek medical help when it is too late for a cure.

Dr Anie urged everyone to support initiatives aimed at ending the stigma surrounding breast cancer, as it pre­vents many from seeking timely care.

She reiterated that overcoming these misconceptions and educating the public would go a long way in improving breast cancer outcomes in the country.

Additionally, the Executive Secretary of BSoG, Mrs Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, encouraged breast cancer survivors to come forward and share their stories, highlighting their survival as evidence that breast cancer was not a death sentence.

According to her, these personal ac­counts would serve as encouragement for others battling the disease and foster hope among patients.

The launch of ‘Pinktober’ aims to continue raising awareness and promoting education on breast cancer to save more lives and eliminate the stigma surrounding the disease.

 By Raissa Sambou

Theresa Fakaah.

At just 33 years, Theresa Fakaah’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. Overwhelmed by fear and negativity, she broke down in tears upon hearing the biopsy results.

The doctor’s words echoed in her mind: “The cancer is aggressive; we must remove the affected breast to prevent it from spreading to the oth­er.” The thought of losing a breast, es­pecially at her age and without having children or a partner, was unbearable.

Ms Fakaah’s breast cancer journey started in 2021 when she visited Ga South Municipal with a pain in her breast and was later referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

It was at the hospital that she re­ceive the devastating news of breast cancer that turned her life around.

Desperate for an alternative, The­resa abandoned conventional treat­ment and sought herbal remedies for three months. However, her condition worsened.

While on herbal treatment, she experienced excruciating pain and dis­charge from her right breast coupled with sleepless nights.

Returning to Korle-Bu the following year 2022, Theresa began her treat­ment anew, she went through eight cycles of chemotherapy, surgery to re­move the affected breast and received 14 shots of Herceptin in her thigh.

Herceptin is a medication adminis­tered through infusion. This targeted therapy helps prevent cancer cells from growing and is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence.

Initially, she was scheduled to re­ceive 18 Herceptin injections, how­ever, Ms Fakaah experienced adverse reactions after 14 injections, and her medical team decided to discontinue the treatment with it and suggested another drug.

She said she was neglected by her family when they heard of her con­dition, advising her to return to the village for cure; a suggestion she refused, hence the rejection.

She was later supported by Toptown Church of Christ, Amanfrom and other individuals which enabled her to go through the treatment.

She encouraged breast cancer patients not to habour fear in them but rather follow the instructions of health professionals in order to ‘fight and conquer’ the disease.

Ms Fakaah’s breast cancer journey, is an indication of the rising num­ber of young women in Ghana being diagnosed with breast cancer, under­scoring the urgency for broader public education and awareness.

In Ghana alone, over 2,000 women lose their lives to breast cancer each year, however, health experts believe the number is significantly higher, as many cases remain undiagnosed.

A major barrier to diagnosis and treatment is the cost, with many unable to afford the necessary medi­cal procedures. As a result, countless individuals return home, untreated, only to succumb to the disease.

October is globally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ded­icated to raising awareness about the disease and promoting early detec­tion.

This year’s global theme for the awareness month is “no one should face breast cancer alone,” with the aim of bringing to attention the silent struggles faced by survivors and patients who may feel isolated and un­supported due to the disease.

The goal of this year’s campaign is to ensure that survivors receive the warmth and support they need while battling with the disease and stigma.

It is therefore important not to pay lip service to the treatment of breast cancer, as many women are continu­ously suffering from the disease.

It is also important for stakeholders to find ways of lessening the financial and emotional burden of patients and survivors, increase awareness espe­cially among young people, promote healthy lifestyles, improve access to screening and diagnostic facilities as well as enhancing healthcare infra­structure and treatment options.

Theresa’s journey was marked by fear, denial, and determination. Today, she stands as a testament to resilience and courage in the face of adversity

 By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu