Editorial
Let’s Fight Discrimination, Stigma Against Breast Cancer Patients, Survivors
Nobody is at fault for receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, but the psychological scars caused by the stigma and discrimination survivors face are worsening their circumstances more than the disease itself.
The Executive Secretary of the Breast Cancer Society of Ghana (BCSG), Mrs. Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, told our reporter in an exclusive interview that the psychological scars from prejudice and shame are frequently worse than the physical anguish of the cancer.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that over 2.1 million women are affected by breast cancer each year, making it the most frequent cancer in women.
Mrs. Kumah-Dzagah, a survivor, disclosed that although the surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments were difficult for her, the reactions of others caused more severe scarring on her heart than the sickness did on her body.
It is unfortunate that rather than showing survivors love, care, and genuine concern, some families and friends have moved away as if cancer were contagious, leaving survivors with greater wounds.
Even more heartbreaking is the fact that many survivors feel alone and rejected during social events when they most need support and care.
For years, medical professionals have been raising public awareness and educating people, particularly during the month of October, about fear, false information, and the importance of realising that breast cancer is not deadly and not communicable. However, it appears that the message has not penetrated deeply.
In addition to educating the public about the disease, The Spectator is urging medical professionals to pay more attention to the stigma associated with patients and survivors so that they can be treated with respect, love, and compassion rather than avoidance.
Breast cancer patients and survivors need encouragement, not judgment. As such, society must address the problem of stigma, which isolates them and takes away their hope, dignity, and the strength they need to hold on to.
We applaud survivors who are proud of their scars and believe that every scar is proof of survival, not a mark of shame — describing them as symbols of courage and endurance.
Since early detection greatly improves the chances of survival, The Spectator encourages survivors to keep sharing their stories so that women prioritise self-breast examinations (SBE) and routine medical checks.
In addition, we encourage friends, family, and the general public to provide emotional support to those with breast cancer and those who have survived the disease. Even simple acts of kindness can help restore their hope and confidence.
Reminding patients or survivors that they are still complete, worthwhile, and able to live life to the fullest is important.
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Dear Editor,
The recent shooting to death of Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old Ghanaian student in Bronx, USA, is a heartbreaking reminder that bullying should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up.
Reports indicate that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to bullying at school before he was fatally shot on his way to class.
While investigations continue and the exact motive yet to be officially established, the circumstances surrounding this tragedy have raised serious concerns about the impact of not checking bullying.
What makes this loss even more painful is that Javits Frimpong, had moved from Ghana to the United States with hopes of a brighter future through education. Instead, his life was cut short at an age when he should have been pursuing his dreams and preparing for adulthood.
Bullying is often viewed as harmless teasing, but its effects can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and, in extreme cases, become entangled in violence.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to schools everywhere. Complaints of bullying must be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed decisively before situations escalate.
Parents, teachers, school authorities, and community leaders all share a responsibility to create safe environments for young people.
Open communication, counselling services, anti-bullying education, and effective disciplinary measures can help protect vulnerable students.
Equally important is teaching young people respect, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
As we mourn the loss of Javits Frimpong, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring that no other child loses their life because warning signs were ignored. The fight against bullying is not merely a school issue; it is a societal responsibility.
Yours faithfully,
Dansoman
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The recent report that 294 teenage girls in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to receive their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a depressing reminder of the gap between medical progress and public trust.
In a focused campaign with 997 girls the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate reached a 70 percent coverage rate. Our public health professionals deserve praise for reaching 703 girls, but the remaining 30 percent pose a serious threat.
This shortfall is not due to a lack of institutional effort, logistics, or resources. The directorate had sufficient logistics, as highlighted by Public Health Nurse Patience Adoli Kporxah. Rather, the barrier was completely human: a lack of parental approval.
In Ghana, one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality for women is still cervical cancer. Ironically, it is also one of the most avoidable. The HPV vaccine is widely acknowledged as a safe, highly effective barrier that, when given early, can prevent up to 90 percent of cervical cancers.
Parents are unknowingly leaving their daughters vulnerable to a virus that they will probably come into contact with in the future by withholding approval.
This initiative was not initiated in secret by the health directorate. They coordinated with churches, mosques, and media outlets, spoke at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and sent letters to schools as part of their broad public outreach efforts. However, around 300 parents continued to withhold their signatures in spite of these multi-dimensional approaches.
Why is this resistance still present? Fear, cultural taboos, and false information about vaccines and reproductive health on the internet are the main causes of vaccine hesitation rather than an intent to hurt a child. When a vaccination is administered to young teenagers in schools, it may cause unjustified concerns about fertility and sexuality.
Our public health initiatives need to change in order to close this gap before the November and December phases.
Letters and the mass media are important, but they are unable to provide precise, worried answers. During PTA meetings, health staff could think about holding direct question and answer sessions so parents may express their worries without fear of being judged.
In order to normalise the vaccine, community elders, religious leaders, and reputable local physicians must do more than simply impart knowledge; they must openly support it.
We must present the HPV vaccine as a standard, life-saving cancer prevention tool that is now completely incorporated into Ghana’s regular immunisation programme.
The entrance is still open, according to public health officials. Daughters who did not participate in the school-based activity can still get the vaccination at no cost by taking them to any government health institution.
We must work together to prevent cervical cancer in the future generation. The infrastructure, education, and dosages have been supplied by public health teams. The trust must now be provided by the parents of Ayawaso West and Ghana as a whole.
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