Stigmatization Is A Hindrance To The Fight Against Breast Cancer In Ghana- Dr. Wiafe Addai

Stigmatization has been identified as a militating factor in the fight against breast cancer in Ghana and Africa, the President of Breast Care International has stated.

According to the AORTIC council member, in Africa, healthcare workers and volunteers have had to dedicate considerable time and attention to educating people to embrace patients who are suffering from breast and other cancers.

She said that her organizations, Breast Care International (BCI) and Peace And Love Hospitals (PLHs), have dedicated their time to conducting breast screenings, education to create awareness, counseling, advocacy and rehabilitation are still faced with the challenge of stigmatization.

Dr. (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai has bemoaned that the canker of stigmatization has facilitated the death of patients more than the disease itself and that there was the need for all stakeholders to equally direct more attention to fighting it before it becomes too late.

That Peace and Love Hospital and Breast Care International have played a lead role in breast cancer awareness creation at the local, national and international levels for over close to two decades are now directing attention to tackling stigmatization, with the help of Volunteer Breast Cancer Survivors, who have been bold to come out to Help Others through their Personal Experiences.

She bemoaned that Breast cancer, like many other cancers is claiming the precious lives of many Ghanaians although it is curable, but efforts to combat it has been negatively affected by other factors such as myths and misconceptions.

“Among many urban and rural dwellers, the disease is largely seen as a spiritual disease, as a curse on a family (especially those with positive family history), caused by witchcraft, as an incurable disease. THESE ARE MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS. The psychological effect on patients who have to live their lives thinking that they are under a curse is very horrible and unimaginable. This has to stop to give patients the courage to come out and seek proper diagnosis and treatment. Breast cancer is curable and survivable when detected early, at which time the cost of treatment is comparatively less; but when at an advanced stage, treatment options become less and very expensive”, the President and Founder of Breast Care International, Dr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai explained.

The Consultant Breast Surgeon, said ignorance and lack of awareness account for the late presentation of Breast Cancer to the hospitals, since the beginning of the disease in most cases is not painful, and that it is in this regard that PLHs and BCI have incorporated teachings to educate society to accept breast cancer as a mere disease that is curable and Survivable.

Dr. Wiafe Addai said these during a Breast Cancer Education and free breast and hypertension Screening held at The Presbyterian Church of Ghana at Nkwabeng in the Nkoranza South District of the Brong Ahafo Region where she advised the women to practice Breast Self-Examination (BSE), and that they should have their breast examined by a trained health professional at least once every year and all the women above the age of forty (40) are to have their baseline mammogram

She narrated how survivors have played important roles in the awareness creation and education exercises embarked by BCI/PLH. “We do as much as we can to let our people know that close to six hundred Ghanaian women are breast cancer survivors” she said.

She also asked the participants to report any abnormalities to the health facility for further investigation and treatment. The Assembly Member for Nkwaabeng electoral area Mr. Paul Nsonwaa commended PLHs and BCI for providing his people such a life-saving service.

He also thanked the M.P for the area Hon Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum for his assistance in busing women from five different communities to Nkwaabeng, where the exercise took place.

In all, One Thousand, Six Hundred (1,600) women benefited from the free breast and hypertension screening and education.

The programme was graced by several pastors, the Chief, Queen mother and elders of the town.