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Dr Juliet Appiah-Quansah, a true heroine in the world of medicine
October, the month set aside globally to increase awareness about breast cancer has ended again.
Many people across the world, including NGOs, health advocates and cancer survivors came together once more to speak about the devastating impact of breast cancer on the lives of sufferers of the disease and their families.
Cancer itself is a dreadful disease that has claimed many lives in the world and continues to do so. Thousands of individuals, especially in Africa die of cancer due to the inability to afford the expensive treatment for the disease.
To help change this narrative, a Ghanaian medical oncologist based in the United States of America (USA) Dr Juliet Appiah-Quansah began a mission to save lives.
Through her NGO, the Cancer Support Network Foundation (CSNF), many needy cancer patients are receiving financial support for their treatment.
The CSNF continues to embark on various initiatives to help increase awareness about the disease, especially in hard-to-reach parts of the country where access to healthcare is a problem.
Within the past five years, the CSNF has committed huge sums of money to financing various cancer-related activities including the treatment of needy cancer patients across the country.
Taking it one step at a time, the medical oncologist remains poised to ensure no one dies of cancer in Africa due to poverty or ignorance.
All these would not have been possible without the passion Dr Appiah-Quansah has for supporting helpless cancer patients.
She has severally acknowledged the support of her family, friends, volunteers, and partners in promoting the objectives of the NGO in their own ways.
Seeing people fearlessly fight cancer and emerge victorious despite their financial backgrounds makes her glad. Though a resident in the USA, the medical oncologist has not allowed distance to become a hindrance to ensuring beneficiaries of her philanthropic activities receive the needed cancer care.
It is for this and many other reasons that as the global breast cancer awareness month, “PINKTOBER ends, we do not want to forget heroines like Dr Appiah-Quansah.”
During many interactions with fighters of cancer, she never seizes the opportunity to remind sufferers of the dreadful disease that it is possible to beat cancer, especially when diagnosed early and survive for years by sticking to the advice of doctors offering cancer treatments at accredited health facilities.
Dr Appiah-Quansah’s favourite words of encouragement to cancer patients who sometimes do not believe in conventional treatment and decide to rely solely on prayers is that “Doctors are an extension of God’s grace.” This she usually says, to make such individuals understand that God could still heal sick persons even if they decide to go to the hospital.
Indeed, a positive cancer story cannot be told in Ghana without mentioning the name of Dr Appiah Quansah. She has demonstrated to us that medicine is not just about science but also about humanity. Dr Appiah-Quansah is not just a medical practitioner, she is a healer of many broken hearts, her actions continue to make a world of difference to those in need.
In a world often clouded by darkness, this benevolent oncologist, a staunch Christian, shines as a beacon of hope and compassion. In her selfless pursuit of making a difference, she, with the support of her team members, has transformed despair into hope for countless families.
She has also proven to us that heroes do not always wear capes, sometimes they wear white coats! the world needs more people like her.
Dr Appiah-Quansah, may God almighty continue to grant you strength as you keep transforming despair into hope for many cancer fighters.
May your kindness be repaid with boundless blessings and love.
And to you Dr Adelaide Oppong, your enormous contribution towards the successful implementation of the objectives of the CSNF can never go unnoticed, we are aware of the chocolates you send to survivors and cancer patients, your psychological support, and many others. You are cherished and loved too. To all the executives, volunteers, board members and cherished donors of the foundation, we say a BIG THANK YOU. We appreciate you for believing in the vision of Dr Appiah Quansah.
The revered vice president of CNFS, Mr Eric Brobbey, your unwavering care and compassion have been a guiding light through the traumatising dark days of cancer patients. Thank you for the role you play in comforting and bringing healing to these individuals
Let us all rally behind this noble cause, together we can support Dr Appiah-Quansah to be that change that cancer patients need, restoring not only their health but also their faith in a brighter tomorrow.
In our unity lies the strength to bridge hope, to heal hearts, and to ensure that no cancer patient in Africa is left to fight alone.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
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Cervical Cancer alert: Avoid sex at early age
The Programmes Manager of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Mary Efua Commeh, has advised young girls to avoid sex at an early age.
This, she explained, will give the cervix the opportunity to mature before they become sexually active.
“You need to delay what we call the first sexual intercourse as much as possible to give the cervix the opportunity to mature before the person becomes sexually active,” she said.
Dr Commeh stated this in an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Tuesday as a part of the Cervical Cancer awareness month.
According to her, cervical cancer was the second leading female cancer in Ghana with a total of about 3,072 cases annually, and out of that, 1,815 deaths are recorded, representing more than 50 per cent.
She indicated that “If young girls are going to be sexually active, then you need to talk to your parents about being vaccinated.”
She explained that vaccinating young girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found to be a very effective way of preventing cervical cancer.
“There are countries that started HPV vaccination years ago and they are not seeing any cervical cancers now because they would have eliminated most of the high-risk HPVs in their women. So if the high-risk HPV is not there, then obviously the results on cervical cancers are going to go down,” she added.
Dr Commmey said the HPV vaccination is recommended for young girls aged nine to 14 years, adding that it had been found to be highly effective, not just for cervical cancers but for other HPV-related cancers, such as anal cancers, cancers of the vagina, genital warts, amongst others.
She further elaborated that the idea is to put up a barrier before the HPV comes in and that once a young female encounters it, she is already protected.
She also mentioned that for cervical cancers, the main cause is called HPV infection, saying generally, all sexually active women acquire HPV at some point in their lives.
However, the Programmes Manager of NCDs at the GHS mentioned that the body has a way of clearing the HPV, explaining that it is a natural mechanism that goes on, unfortunately, there are a few women whose HPV persists.
Moreover, she noted that the numbers for Cervical Cancer tend to be much higher because at times, clients would wait, and try all sorts of medications before they finally report to the health facility saying “we actually lose some women before they get to the hospitals with over 75 per cent of the cases coming in its third and fourth stages.”
Dr Commey, therefore, called for public awareness while ensuring the availability of information for prevention and control.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Maxi Sway teams up with Kweku Darlington on ‘Efie Bayie’
One of Ghana’s fastest-growing musicians, Maxi Sway known in private life as Alex Bonsu, has teamed up with music sensation, Kweku Darlington on ‘Efie Bayie’.
The song is off his new External Play (EP) dubbed, ‘Love and Life’ which is made up of five songs.
The EP written and performed by Maxi Sway, drew inspiration from real life situations.
According to Maxi Sway, ‘Efie Bayie’ was inspired by something unfortunate which happened in the life of his producer Ssnowbeatz.
He revealed that “some years back as it was almost close to the B.E.C.E examinations, Ssnowbeatz fell sick and had to write the exams at the hospital with a few Security Personnel around.”
“Ssnowbeatz told me it was a very difficult time because he was out of school for a while and had no time to even revise or prepare for the exams. He failed the papers because of his health and even didn’t go for the results,” he said.
According to him, after hearing the story of Ssnowbeatz, “It got me thinking and it inspired the song Efie Beyie.”
The video was directed and shot by Mista Morgan.
The songs on the EP include, Meganja, Efie Bayie, Wayo Love, Come Closer and Seke.
The songs making waves were produced by Klassic Beatz and Ssnowbeatz.
