Gender
Breast cancer in men real, get screened …Male survivor shares his story
Mr Arthur
Breast cancer, a disease commonly associated with women, affects men too. Despite being relatively rare among men, male breast cancer accounts for approximately one per cent of all breast cancer cases.
Mr Abaeku Arthur, a retired Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) employee, shares his story of resilience and survival after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
Journey
Mr Arthur’s breast cancer journey began with a complaint to a surgeon friend about the size of his breast and how uncomfortable he feels whenever he wears a T-shirt.
He said, “I feel uncomfortable any time I wear a T-shirt mainly because, female friends would usually play with my breast.”
Also, Mr Arthur said he would usually see blood stains on his bed sheet but attributed them to mosquito bites.
His friend and surgeon at The Trust Hospital suggested a surgical procedure to reduce the size of his breast. The surgery was successful, but the real surprise came when the tissues were sent to the lab for analysis.
The results revealed a shocking diagnosis: breast cancer in his left breast.
“I was unaware men could get breast cancer,” Mr Arthur admitted. “I thought it was exclusively a women’s disease.”
Treatment/Recovery
Abaeku underwent a second surgery at the same hospital, this time specifically targeting the cancer. The procedure involved cutting from his chest to his armpit. He then proceeded to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for chemotherapy and radiation.
He said due to the effects of the chemotherapy, he lost all the hairs on his body and unlike some women whose menstrual cycles cease as a result, Mr Abaeku Arthur said “ it did not affect me in any way, I am still strong.”
Family Support
His family was devastated by the news, but he reassured them, “It’s God’s will.” They stood by him throughout his treatment, providing all the support and encouragement needed during the period.
Awareness/ Advocacy
Mr Arthur who turned 70 years this week said before undergoing the surgery for breast cancer, he vowed to create awareness about male breast cancer.
His aim was to demystify the notion that men with big breasts had breast cancer. However, he stressed on the need for screening anytime they experienced anything unusual with the breast.
He emphasised on the need for screening in order to detect it early; saying “early detection is key. I have survived for 17 years, and I am still strong.”
Statistics
Male breast cancer accounts approximately for one per cent of all breast cancer cases.
However, stigma and lack of awareness surrounding the disease seems to have prevented men from seeking medical attention.
In Ghana, according to the National Centre for Radiotherapy, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), male breast cancers accounts for 2.9 per cent of all breast cancers seen, consistent with the slightly higher rates reported in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry shows that 93.7 per cent of male breast cancers are ductal carcinomas, 2.6 per cent papillary, 1.8 per cent mucinous and 1.5 per cent are lobular carcinoma.
Also the centre said 80 to 90 per cent of male breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive, and 65- 90 per cent are progesterone receptor positive.
According to the centre, most common presenting symptoms in male breast cancer are painless sub-areolar lump, nipple retraction and bleeding from the nipple.
The centre also noted that, generally, management strategies of male breast cancer are the same as females as no prospective randomised trials have been conducted to establish treatment protocols in men.
It mentioned that breast conservation in males may be a challenge due to difficulties in obtaining negative margins resulting in a high rate of upfront radical mastectomies performed.
Conclusion
The story of Mr Abaeku Arthur is about how both men and women were at risk of having breast cancer and how important it is to check it and not ignore the little signs on the breast.
It is equally important for men to know they are not immune to breast cancer and the need to break down the barriers and encourage open discussions.
Also education of patients, families and health providers will increase awareness of male breast cancer, ensuring early presentation, prompt referral or early diagnosis, treatment and improved survival.
Mr Abaeku Arthur’s 17-year journey as a male breast cancer survivor serves as a testament to resilience and determination.
His story inspires others to prioritise their health and seek medical attention when the need be.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
BSoG calls for end to Breast Cancer stigma
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
Gender
Overcoming breast cancer …Theresa Fakaah’s journey to survival
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
