News
Women with Breast Cancer Refuse Surgery …for Fear of Losing Romantic Relationship
A lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Dr Merri Iddrisu, has revealed that many women hesitate to undergo surgery for breast cancer because of the fear that the removal of one or both breasts may alter their romantic relationships and affect how their partners perceive them.
However, she said the condition, though a difficult one, must not end one’s romantic relationship and urged men to support women in this regard.
“Love does not end when the breast is gone. With understanding and support, couples can build an even stronger bond,” she emphasised.
She made the disclosure in an interview with The Spectator on the sidelines of the 25th anniversary annual symposium of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), held at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), University of Ghana, Legon.
It was organised on the theme: “From Genes to Generations: Family Heredity and Breast Cancer Risk.”
Dr Iddrisu explained that the breast is not just a biological feature but a symbol of femininity, intimacy, and confidence — elements that shape a woman’s sense of self within her marriage.
“When a woman loses her breast, she is not only fighting cancer but also dealing with the emotional pain of feeling incomplete or undesirable. Many fear their husbands will no longer see them attractive,” she elaborated.
She noted that some women struggle with self-image and intimacy after mastectomy, leading to strained relationships and emotional withdrawal.
“If the husband still finds his wife beautiful, even with scars, and continues to show affection, the woman becomes stronger emotionally. But when the husband distances himself, it deepens her pain,” she added.
On that note, the expert stressed the need for men to be actively involved in their wives’ treatment journey, as emotional and psychological support from partners significantly impacts recovery.
“When a woman is diagnosed, we must treat not just the woman but the entire family, which includes the husband, children, and even colleagues. The husband especially needs guidance to understand the physical and emotional effects of treatment,” she explained.
Moreover, she encouraged couples to explore breast reconstruction or prosthetic options if needed, saying such steps can help restore confidence and intimacy.
According to her, open communication, acceptance, and counselling can help couples overcome the emotional hurdles that come with breast cancer treatment.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu & Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
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Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has officially launched Ghana’s Revised National Cultural Policy, describing it as a strategic roadmap for preserving the nation’s heritage while strengthening the cultural and creative industries to drive economic growth, job creation and social transformation.
The policy aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2030, positioning culture as a key pillar of national development.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie noted that the policy is the result of years of extensive stakeholder consultations and will support creative entrepreneurs, cultural investments, and the integration of culture into national development planning.
The launch reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to leveraging culture for sustainable development, heritage preservation, economic empowerment, and global cultural engagement.
The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has called for a break from aid dependency, urging African countries to treat healthcare as a national security and economic priority driven by domestic investment and strong health workforces.
Addressing participants at the 2026 Annual Health Summit hosted by the Ministry of Health, the Vice President underscored the importance of strengthening Ghana’s health workforce through strategic recruitment, equitable deployment, and improved retention.
She highlighted the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration to create enabling conditions that attract and retain health workers, particularly in underserved communities, while promoting structured labour migration arrangements that safeguard Ghana’s health system.
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, outlined measures being implemented to strengthen the health workforce, including the recruitment of additional health professionals, expansion of specialist and post-basic training programmes, and improved deployment to underserved communities.
He noted that government is taking deliberate steps to address workforce gaps, enhance skills development, and ensure a more equitable distribution of health personnel to support quality healthcare delivery nationwide.
The Minister stated that Ghana’s health workforce remains the backbone of the country’s health system and emphasized the need to invest not only in numbers but also in skills, professionalism, motivation, and retention.
“People, not buildings, transform investments into results,” the Minister said, emphasizing that a resilient, motivated, and well-distributed health workforce remains central to achieving Universal Health Coverage and improving health outcomes for all Ghanaians.
This year’s summit is anchored on the theme: “Building a Resilient Health Workforce to Accelerate the Attainment of Universal Health Coverage.”
The summit drew participants from development partners, heads of agencies under the Ministry of Health, the Parliamentary Health Committee, and Health professional regulatory bodies.
