Ghana Health News-Mrs Vivian Gyasi-Sarfo, a breast cancer survivor and President of the Peace and Love Breast Cancer Survivors Association says contrary to myths and misconceptions about breast cancer those who seek early treatment at the hospital can live normal lives thereafter.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper as part of activities marking the month of October which has been declared by the United Nations as breast care season (PINK MONTH), Madam Gyasi-Sarfo recalled how she for almost two decades survived the disease despite being diagnosed and treated for same.
According to her, having seen her elder sister battle with breast cancer when she was diagnosed and treated she decided to be on the look-out for symptoms.
Though she conceded it was not easy seeing any sign apart feeling tiredness at unusual rate, a sharp pain later in one of her breasts alerted her to report to the hospital.
‘’My brother even though my sister had the disease it was difficult knowing the actual symptoms until one day seated in a bus I had a sharp pain in one of my breasts which prompted me to go to the hospital for treatment’’, Mrs Gyasi-Sarfo.
MYTHS:
Explaining from some experiences she had had, Mrs Sarfo, popularly called Auntie Vivi noted how ignorant most women in the country are about breast cancer.
Most of those she has encountered, she disclosed attribute breast cancer to a disease that is caused by the activities of witches.
Some also accuse their enemies of spiritually infecting them with a disease that is incurable, the survivor narrated from her experience.
She noted these myths and misconceptions are mostly found in remote regions of the country, insisting only a concerted outreach program will help to disabuse the minds of people from these wrong impressions.
‘’It is amazing how the minds of people have been shaped to admit breast cancer is neither survivable nor curable. Some even attribute the disease to the work of the devil or witches and no wonder those who are found with it are so stigmatized and shunned’’, Mrs. Sarfo
SUPPORT:
Mrs Sarfo urged the families of persons who are dealing with breast cancer to give them all the support they will need because there were available treatment for those who seek early treatment.
She asked women to report any abnormal signs or lumps they find in their breasts to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Auntie Vivi recounting her case advised husbands of women who are dealing with breast cancer to show love to their mates in this difficult period.
Her husband, she noted showed all the love and care to undergo treatment and therapy, adding the husband’s attitude helped her to recover quickly.
‘’I urge the citizenry to show support to those they find to have breast cancer and to husbands in particular I advise that they stay glued to their wives so that the treatment they undergo at the hospital have a positive impact’’, Auntie Vivi admonished.
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