Beatrice Wiafe Addresses Stigmatization In Breast Cancer

Stigmatization has usually been a problem in the fight against breast cancer in Ghana and Africa.

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.

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

The canker of stigmatization no doubt even facilitate the death of patients more than the disease itself and this underscores the need to equally direct more attention to fighting it before it becomes too late.

PLH and BCI which 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.

Breast cancer like many other cancers is claiming the precious lives of Ghanaians although it is curable, and this has become a concern to BCI and PLHs.

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, according to the President and Founder of Breast Care International, Dr. Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai

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.

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,  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.

The President of Breast Care International and the Chief Executive Officer of Peace And Love Hospitals, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, at Nkwabeng in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana said, it is needless for women who are the majority of breast cancer patients to die from the disease prematurely, when options are available for treatment. She mentioned this during a Breast Cancer Education and Screening held at The Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Nkwabeng.

Dr. Mrs. Wiafe Addai advised the women to practice Breast Self-Examination (BSE) after taking them through the process of doing the BSE, on a monthly basis.  The participants were also encouraged to 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.

Once the disease is curable, and survivable, no woman has an excuse to fold her arms and allow fear, stigmatization and apathy to stand in the way of our efforts to help women whose contribution to the family, society and economy is very significant, to die prematurely and sometimes needlessly.

She also asked the participants to report any abnormalities to the health facility for further investigation and treatment. One Thousand, Six Hundred (1,600) women were clinically screened.

Several suspected cases were referred for further investigations and management. 

The program was initiated by Mr. Nsonwaah, Assemblyman of Nkwaabeng area, and graced by several pastors, the Chief, Queenmother and  elders of the town.