Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospital, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has expressed concern that fear of knowing one’s health status is stopping many women from going for early breast cancer screening.
Speaking on Luv FM’s Morning Show, she said this fear-driven denial continues to cost lives, as women who avoid screening only discover the disease when it is already advanced.
“Many women prefer not to know their status because they believe that if they don’t know, they won’t react to it,” she explained. “But that mindset is dangerous. The earlier you detect breast cancer, the better your chances of survival.”
Dr. Wiafe Addai emphasized that education, not fear, is the most powerful weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
She explained that Stage 0 breast cancer, when the disease is still in the duct can be detected through mammography, while Stages 1 and 2 can often be detected by self-examination.
“At those stages, the survival rate is almost 100%,” she said. “But at Stages 3 and 4, the tumor becomes bigger, treatment more complicated, and survival chances drop to about 20%.”
She encouraged women to perform monthly breast checks and visit health facilities regularly for screening, stressing that early detection saves both lives and money.
Dr. Wiafe Addai also condemned the stigma attached to breast cancer, especially from men who withdraw from their partners after diagnosis.
“Breast cancer is not contagious,” she stressed. “This is the time for men to show love and support, not hostility. Women must also be empowered to take charge of their own health.”
A breast cancer survivor, Joan, who shared her story on the show, said education helped her confront fear and stay hopeful during treatment.
“I was diagnosed at Stage 0-1 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. Having someone to walk me through the process gave me relief,” she said.
Another guest, Uzoramaka, urged women to pay attention to their lifestyles and make self-checks a habit.
“Don’t be afraid to find out. The battle starts in the mind before the body follows. Lean on your faith and your family if they’re supportive,” she advised.
Dr. Wiafe Addai further cautioned against the growing trend of sending women to prayer camps for healing instead of hospitals.
“Some pastors keep women in prayer camps claiming to perform miracles. What they should do is educate them and refer them for medical care,” she said.
She ended with a passionate call to action.
“Women, come to the hospital, get checked, and remove the fear and stigma. Let breast cancer be that gutter in your life that you overcome.”
Source: Jude Mawufemo Fiagbe
