Features
Navigating oncology misinformation- Part 1
Cultural myths and clinical misconceptions surrounding breast cancer remain prevalent, often leading to either unnecessary anxiety or dangerous complacency. Differentiating between anecdotal folklore and rigorous oncological science is vital for effective screening, early detection, and public health advocacy.
Common misconceptions examined
Misinformation manifests across several domains, from anatomical risk factors to diagnostic certainty:
Exclusive female prevalence: A widespread belief suggests that breast cancer is exclusively a women’s disease. While significantly less common, male breast cancer accounts for roughly 1% of all global diagnoses, stemming from the presence of a small amount of residual breast tissue and genetic factors such as BRCA2 mutations.
Universal malignancy of lumps: It is frequently assumed that any palpable mass discovered during a self-exam is definitively cancerous. In clinical practice, the vast majority of evaluated breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous) conditions, such as fluid-filled cysts, fibroadenomas, or localized inflammation.
External artifacts and consumer products: Persistent myths attribute breast cancer to wearing underwire bras (supposedly by restricting lymphatic drainage) or using aluminum-based antiperspirants. Extensive epidemiological research has found no scientific correlation linking these everyday consumer items to tumor development.
The family history guarantee: Many assume that a clean family lineage ensures immunity. Statistically, approximately 85 per cent of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer have no direct family history of the disease, making routine population-wide screening essential for everyone.
The implications of cultural myths on clinical outcomes
When patients internalize inaccurate narratives, clinical trajectories can be compromised. Misinformation often results in delayed medical consultations when symptoms appear, unwarranted fears regarding standard surgical or systemic treatments, or total avoidance of screening mammography. Grounding public understanding in evidence-based pathology ensures that individuals approach diagnostics and care with structural clarity rather than fear.
There are a lot of common rumors and myths floating around about breast cancer. Some of these myths cause unnecessary panic, while others make people ignore important warning signs.
Let’s clear up four of the biggest myths using everyday examples.
Myth 1: “Only women get breast cancer.”
The Reality: While it is much more common in women, men can get breast cancer too.
The Example: Both men and women are born with small amounts of breast tissue. Because men often assume breast cancer is impossible for them, they might ignore a warning sign for too long. About one per cent of all breast cancer cases happen in men.
Myth 2: “Finding a lump means you definitely have cancer.”
The Reality: Discovering a lump in the breast can be scary, but most lumps are benign (non-cancerous).
The Example: Think of finding a small, smooth pebble in your shoe-it feels uncomfortable and catches your attention, but it’s just a harmless pebble, not a dangerous nail. Most lumps turn out to be harmless fluid-filled sacs (cysts) or normal tissue changes.
Myth 3: “Underwire bras and antiperspirants cause breast cancer.”
The Reality: An old rumor says that tight underwire bras block lymph fluid or that antiperspirants trap toxins in the body, causing cancer. Scientists have studied this extensively, and there is zero link.
The Example: Wearing your favorite deodorant or an underwire shirt does not change your cancer risk. Your body has its own natural ways of filtering waste; everyday clothing and hygiene products don’t cause tumors.
Myth 4: “If no one in my family had it, I am 100 per cent safe.”
The Reality: Many people believe breast cancer only happens if it runs in the family. While having a family history can raise your risk, it is not a requirement.
The Example: Getting breast cancer is a bit like winning a lottery-you don’t need a family member who won it before to buy a ticket. In fact, about 85 per cent of people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease at all. That is why routine screenings for everyone are so important.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, it was the turn of Ghanaian Catholics in Finland to lead the singing in the church service of the African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland (ACCF).
It was indeed a spirit-filled feeling for worshippers present. And for the Ghanaian migrants, the occasion also brought back to them memories of church services in their home country, Ghana.
The ACCF has a roster for each country/community to sing from time to time. Next Sunday will be the turn of the Nigerian community. Other communities that usually sing are the Kenyan/Tanzanian community, the Cameroonian, the Ugandan, group, etc.
A powerful religious experience
The mass services of the Chaplaincy usually give a powerful religious experience and a display of cultural diversity, especially in occasions such as when the Bishop of Helsinki, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, celebrated mass with the Chaplaincy on Pentecost Day, May 24, 2026.
There was a similar time of spiritual joy last month (September 27, 2026) when Emeritus Bishop Teemu Sippo, former Bishop of Helsinki, visited the Chaplaincy. Bishop Teemu was the main celebrant, assisted by the Chaplain, Reverend Father Thomas Otieno.
Last Sunday, Reverend Father Bernard Sor, a Ghanaian Catholic priest based in Austria, was the main celebrant in the mass service where he performed a rite of baptism. Fr Bernard had celebrated mass a few months ago when he visited his sister and her husband in Helsinki. 
All these well-attended religious occasions indeed leave lasting memories. The homilies (peaching) by the priests usually emphasize religious tenets such as the importance of loving and serving God in truth, existing in peace with our fellow humans to promote unity in diversity, etc.
Unity in diversity and a colourful display of cultures
The African Chaplaincy church services usually produce impressive displays of diverse cultures from different parts of Africa and elsewhere. The events are often spiced by rich cultural displays of dances and colourful attires which are a delight to watch.
On special occasions, members of the Ghanaian Catholic community, in their gay and colourful kente attire and with adowa dance and music, usually lead the procession into the church. Other communities such as the Cameroonian, Nigerian, Kenyan and Tanzanian as well as Sudanese/South Sudanese groups also put up well-choreographed performances from their cultures.
The African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland
The African Chaplaincy was founded on June 4, 2017, which was a Pentecost Sunday, in a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Monsignor Emeritus Sippo S.C.I., the then Bishop of Helsinki, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Church in Helsinki.
The Chaplaincy was created by Bishop Teemu in collaboration with the Diocesan body when they detected a great flocking of African immigrants to Finland, the majority of whom were Catholics. This was to give the immigrants a possibility to integrate into the Finnish society by worshiping as Catholics and in their African cultural identity.
The responsibility of the Chaplaincy was given by Bishop Teemu to Father Dr Leonard Wobilla Shwei, who is thus the first Chaplain and ably led the Chaplaincy. He was succeeded a few years ago by Father Thomas Otieno, who continues to move the Chaplaincy forward. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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She did not find out he was cheating. She found out he was drowning.
It was two weeks after their beautiful wedding. The jollof was still in the fridge. A loan officer called her number-not his-and politely asked, “Madam, please tell your husband to pay his overdue loan. We have been calling him.”
That was how she discovered her new husband had entered their marriage with a hidden debt of over GH¢ 40,000. No cheating. No other woman. Just a financial secret.
And that is how many Ghanaian marriages begin to die. Not with a shout, but with a secret alert on a phone.
We prepare for the wedding. We do not prepare for the wallet.
What is money honesty?
Let me define it simply. Money honesty is not that you both earn the same. It is that you both know the same. It is the ability to sit down and say without fear:
“This is how much I earn.”
“This is how much I owe.”
“This is how I was raised to see money.”
“This is what scares me about money.”
Financial transparency is not about control. It is about clarity. You cannot build trust on top of secrets.
Many couples tell me, “Counsellor, we love each other, love will handle money.” I always answer, “Love is the car, but money honesty is the fuel. Love without honesty cannot move.”
How To Buy Your Marriage Insurance Today – My 5-Step Protocol
If you are engaged, newly married, or even 20 years in marriage, you can still fix this. At Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult—CPAC, this is what I give couples:
Step 1: The 90-Minute Money Naked Session.
No phones, no blame. Each partner writes down on paper: Monthly income, monthly debts, monthly family obligations, savings, and your biggest money fear. Then you exchange papers. Read it. Don’t react for 24 hours. Just absorb.
Step 2: Create OUR Money, YOUR Money, My Money.
You need three pots. OUR money for rent, food, school fees, utilities, properties, and the like— joint contribution. YOUR money and MY money—a small agreed allowance no one questions. This stops the feeling of being controlled.
Step 3: The No-Secret Debt Rule.
Agree from today: No new loan, no new hire purchase, no new family financial commitment above GHS 500 without telling each other first. Not permission, but information.
Step 4: Talk About Your Money Personality.
Are you a Spender or a Saver? Are you Risky or Safe? Most Ghanaian marriages are a Spender married to a Saver. Neither is wrong. But if you don’t understand your partner’s personality, you will call his saving “stinginess” and her spending “wastefulness.”
Step 5: Do a Monthly 30-Minute Money Date
Not an argument date. Light, with tea. “How did we do this month? What worried you? What should we plan for next month?” Couples who do this divorce far less.
My Final Word
Before you say “I Do” at the altar, have pre-marital counselling and also have the money talk on the sofa.
Ask your partner:
“If I lost my job today, how long can we survive?”
“What debt are you bringing into this marriage?”
“How much do you send to your family monthly and will that continue?”
If he or she gets angry that you asked, don’t get married yet. A person who is angry about accountability will be abusive about money.
Marriage insurance is not bought at Star Assurance or Enterprise. It is bought in honest conversations when no one is watching.
The wedding costs one day. The marriage costs a lifetime. Don’t enter a lifetime contract and covenant with hidden costs.
You can still insure your marriage today.
Source:
Counselor Prince Offei, CPAC’s founder, is a leading Mental Health Professional, Marriage Counsellor, Author, ADR Expert/Arbitrator, and Spectator Newspaper Columnist. He writes on relationships, marriage, parenting, special needs support, and their connection to mental health. For therapy, counselling, or enquiries, contact Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Accra on 0559850604 / 0551428486.
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