Don’t abandon cancer treatment, complement it with prayers …Rev. Prof. Kyei urges patients

A radiotherapist, Reverend Prof. Kofi Adesi Kyei, has asked breast cancer patients not to pause treatment and stressed the need to complement medical care with prayers. Prof. Kyei, who is the Chief Radiotherapist at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, said many Ghanaian patients struggle to balance their religious beliefs with medical advice, especially after diagnosis.

Rev. Prof. Kyei, who has also been treating cancer patients for over 20 years, noted that in the African context, spirituality is deeply woven into everyday life, strongly influencing how people respond to illness. “Every African believes in some form of spirituality. It is a strong component of who we are,” he said.

He explained that some patients immediately associate cancer with death, prompting them to turn first to God and pastors. Additionally, he cited scenarios where patients abandon treatment and go for prayers, only to return with severe conditions.

While acknowledging the importance of prayer, he cautioned that it must not lead patients to abandon or delay treatment. “Some will pray and still come for treatment, and that is fine, but pausing treatment to rely solely on spiritual intervention can worsen the condition,” he warned.

He encouraged patients to integrate their faith with their medical journey while taking responsibility for their health. “Prayer is complementary. You can pray and have your treatment,” he noted.

Moreover, Rev. Prof. Kyei, who is again the Head of the Department, Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, acknowledged the financial challenges associated with cancer care, describing treatment as expensive for many Ghanaian households.

He urged government to put stronger systems in place to support cancer treatment, saying such measures would be of immense help to patients and families.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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