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
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
