Beyond the Pink Ribbon: A Survivor’s Call for Awareness and Action
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“It’s not about colour—it’s about courage. Women must know that early detection gives hope—and hope saves lives.”
Every October, pink ribbons flood social media feeds, T-shirts, and corporate campaigns. But behind the color and slogans are real people whose lives have been forever changed by breast cancer a disease that remains both the most common cancer among women worldwide and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Ghanaian women.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In Ghana, 31.8% of all cancer diagnoses among women are breast-related, yet only 18.4% of women aged 15–49 have ever been screened. For many, the diagnosis comes too late.
A Survivor’s Journey: Doris Okai’s Story
In 2013, Mrs. Doris Okai, a mother and civil servant, noticed a small lump under her arm. She thought little of it until it began to swell. Her midwife urged her to seek medical care a decision that would save her life.
At Cocoa Clinic, a doctor hastily declared, “It’s cancer,” without proper tests. Unsatisfied, Doris sought a second opinion at Adabraka Clinic, where she was referred to Ridge Hospital for a biopsy.
Because Ghana lacked pathology services at the time, her samples were sent to South Africa. When the results arrived, her son couldn’t bring himself to deliver the news. “He didn’t come home for three days,” Doris recalls. “That’s when I knew something was wrong.”
At Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof. Lamptey, a surgeon, confirmed her diagnosis and recommended a mastectomy. The road ahead was painful — marked by chemotherapy, exhaustion, and emotional strain but Doris was determined to live.
With unwavering family support and prayer, she fought through five years of treatment and was eventually declared cancer-free. The treatments were brutal. Chemotherapy drained her energy, robbed her of her hair, and weakened her body. But Doris refused to give up. “I told myself I would fight for my children. I wanted them to know their mother didn’t give up,” she says.
Her church and friends rallied around her, offering prayer and emotional support. Her story is now a message of hope and survival, proof that early detection and consistent treatment can make all the difference.
The State of Breast Cancer in Ghana
31.8% of all female cancer cases in Ghana are breast cancer
2,000+ deaths recorded annually
78% of cases detected at advanced stages
Only 18.4% of women have ever been screened
The data reveal a harsh truth: most Ghanaian women are diagnosed when the disease has already spread. Experts blame stigma, cost barriers, and limited screening infrastructure especially outside major cities.
While awareness campaigns surge each October, lasting change requires systemic reform, accessible screening, and public education year-round.
Men Get Breast Cancer Too
Though rare, men are not exempt. About 1–3% of breast cancer cases in Ghana occur in men yet awareness remains low.
Dr. Theresa Anim, a public health oncologist, warns: “Men often ignore symptoms like nipple discharge or small chest lumps. By the time they seek help, it’s usually too late.”
Doctors now encourage both men and women to perform regular chest examinations and report unusual changes early.
Prevention and Early Detection
Public-health experts emphasize five key prevention strategies:
Regular screening and self-examinations
Longer breastfeeding durations
Healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables
Regular exercise and maintaining healthy weight
Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol use
Community-based screening initiatives particularly by NGOs and local health directorates are expanding across Ghana, but funding gaps and logistical challenges persist. Breast cancer is not just a medical battle; it’s a social and emotional one. Survivors like Doris Okai are leading the movement to humanize the fight turning pain into purpose.
“We must go beyond talking,” she says. “We must help women get tested, support those in treatment, and make sure no one fights alone.”
Her story reminds us that breast cancer awareness isn’t a month ,it’s a mission.