Breast cancer: The myths taking women’s lives
ABOUT 70 to 80 per cent of breast cancer patients in Ghana are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment is complex and survival rates are lower.
According to the Breast Society of Ghana (BSG), breast cancer, when detected early, is highly treatable, with survival rates exceeding 90 per cent in the country.
However, myths and misconceptions about the disease continue to discourage women from seeking timely medical care.
President of BSG and breast specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Prof. Josephine Nsaful, identifies some of these misconceptions and explains the facts that women need to know.
Here are seven common myths and the facts behind them:
1. Myth: Nobody in my family has had breast cancer, so I cannot get it.
Fact: Prof. Nsaful says approximately 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
She says having a close relative with breast cancer can increase your risk, particularly when several relatives were affected or diagnosed at younger ages. However, many women are the first in their families to develop it.
Action: Do not wait for a family history before taking breast health seriously. Know your breasts, attend appropriate screening and report unusual changes.
2. Myth: Breast cancer is a spiritual disease.
Fact: Prof. Nsaful says breast cancer must be treated as a medical condition, not assumed to be a spiritual problem.
“Breast cancer is the most researched cancers in the world. It’s very up-to-date and treatment is changing every time. Delaying hospital care while seeking spiritual or traditional remedies can allow the disease to advance,” she warns.
Action: If you notice an unusual breast change, seek medical assessment promptly. Spiritual support may offer comfort, but it must not replace medical treatment.
3. Myth: Breast cancer treatment means death or inevitable breast removal.
Fact: A breast cancer diagnosis is not automatically a death sentence, and treatment does not always require removing the entire breast.
Prof. Nsaful explains that outcomes are much better when the disease is detected early, with treatment depending on the cancer’s stage and type.
Action: Do not let fear make the decision for you. Discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with your specialist.
4. Myth: Chemotherapy is poison, and radiotherapy is unbearably painful.
Fact: Prof. Nsaful says chemotherapy and radiotherapy are established treatments used to control or destroy cancer cells. They can have side effects, but these vary from person to person, and medical teams can help manage them.
Action: Ask your doctor what to expect and how side effects can be managed. Do not reject recommended treatment because of rumours.
5. Myth: Mammograms are dangerous or unnecessary.
Fact: A mammogram is an X-ray examination that can detect abnormalities too small to feel. Prof. Nsaful explains that mammograms can identify cancer before a lump becomes noticeable. She recommends screening from age 40, with the frequency guided by clinical advice.
Action: Ask a qualified health professional about the screening schedule suitable for your age and risk. Never ignore a new breast change simply because you had a recent mammogram.
6. Myth: A breast lump must hurt to be cancerous, or every lump means cancer.
Fact: Prof. Nsaful explains that breast cancer lumps are often painless, while many breast lumps are not cancerous. You cannot reliably tell whether a lump is cancerous simply by touching it or judging whether it hurts.
“It can only be differentiated through a mammogram, scans or biopsy,” she clarifies.
Action: Have every new or suspicious lump assessed. A doctor may recommend an ultrasound, mammogram or biopsy to establish the diagnosis. Do not panic, but do not delay.
7. Myth: Fruits, vegetables and herbal remedies can cure breast cancer.
Fact: Prof. Nsaful explains that a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, may help reduce certain health risks.
However, these foods cannot cure breast cancer once it has developed. They must not be used as substitutes for prescribed cancer treatment. She also cautions against resorting to herbal or other remedies before eventually seeking hospital care.
Action: Eat a balanced diet and stay physically active, but if diagnosed with breast cancer, follow the treatment plan recommended by your medical team. Discuss herbal products and supplements with your doctor before using them.
Take-home message
“Do not let fear delay the right action. Take the bold step to go through the treatment and you will be fine,” Prof. Nsaful advises.
She also calls for greater support and compassion towards breast cancer patients rather than stigma.
“Sometimes, helping a woman overcome fear and take that first step towards treatment can make
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
Email: nabemart@gmail.com
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