Accra, Oct 24, GNA- As part of its ongoing commitment to the fight against breast cancer and advocacy for early screening, The Trust Hospital Company Limited, has launched an innovative initiative—the Breast Cancer Survivors Support Community.
This milestone event, which took place on Tuesday, October 22, marks a significant addition to the Hospital’s Pink October campaign aimed at raising breast cancer awareness, Trust said in a release issued to the Ghana News Agency, on Thursday.
The event saw the attendance of 16 breast cancer survivors, along with healthcare professionals, corporate clients, and members of the community.
The goal was to honour the strength and resilience of these survivors, while offering a platform for them to share their personal journeys, encouraging others facing similar challenges.
Chief Executive Officer of The Trust Hospital, Dr Juliana Oye Ameh, reaffirmed the Hospital’s commitment to breast cancer advocacy. “Our aim is not only to provide top-quality medical care but also to ensure that we offer emotional and psychological support to women who have fought and continue to fight breast cancer.”
“This support group will serve as a vital community where survivors can rely on each other, share their powerful stories, and be beacons of hope for others,” Dr. Ameh stated during her opening remarks.
Some of the breast cancer survivors shared their powerful testimonies during the event.
They spoke candidly about their battles with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, detailing how breast cancer had impacted their lives in various ways.
One, particularly, moving story, the release said, came from the spouse of a survivor, who recounted how the experience strengthened their relationship.
“We grew closer because if she has cancer, then we both have cancer. I had to step up and become her primary caregiver, which deepened our bond in ways I never imagined,” he shared, emphasising the role of family in providing emotional support.
Another survivor spoke about the importance of self-awareness and early detection. She recounted how she was able to catch the disease in its early stages through regular self-examination, encouraging others to stay vigilant about changes in their bodies and seek medical attention promptly.
The survivors’ testimonies consistently highlighted a significant concern regarding the experience of being pitied. They unanimously expressed a preference for support over pity, emphasising that receiving pity not only induced negative feelings but also had a detrimental impact on their emotional well-being.
A survivor, who is a member of the Muslim community, advocated for women within the community to undergo screening procedures despite religious guidelines regarding modesty.
She emphasised the importance of prioritising health concerns and reassured that the “All-Knowing” nature of Allah encompassed the need for health-related screenings. The survivor expressed gratitude for the provision of female screening personnel, as it aligned with their religious principles of modesty and privacy.
She assured the women that once detection was done on time, treatment could be administered.
In his sermon, the Reverend Father Doe stated the importance of providing support to individuals facing health challenges.
Quoting Exodus 20:13, he underscored the notion that harm could be inflicted not only through physical means but also through actions and words, particularly, impacting those experiencing emotional turmoil.
Rev. Fr Doe urged the participants and the nation to become part of the solution by offering comfort and peace to those in need.
Emotional healing, he explained, was a vital precursor to physical recovery. He urged all to act as sources of comfort and encouragement, ensuring that individuals traversing difficult paths received the necessary support.
On addressing Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer, Psychologist Rebecca Darko from The Trust Hospital, explained the challenges faced by those diagnosed with breast cancer.
The distress, she explained, could manifest before diagnosis, during treatment, and even in the post-treatment recovery phase.
Ms. Darko emphasised the importance of adaptive coping mechanisms such as acceptance, adhering to a healthy diet, seeking counselling, and maintaining open communication with healthcare professionals. “
Psychological distress, if left unaddressed, could negatively affect health outcomes.
“It is crucial that patients seek the necessary support throughout their journey,” she added.
The group will engage in outreach programmes, community discussions, and educational forums to emphasise the importance of early detection and breast self-examination.
This support group, the first of its kind at The Trust Hospital, is designed to provide a safe space for survivors to share experiences, offer mutual support, and help guide others who are navigating their cancer journeys.
It is a place where survivors can exchange valuable resources and inspire those still amid their battles.
The event ended with The Trust Hospital reaffirming its commitment to continually support breast cancer survivors and raising awareness of prevention strategies.
“With the launch of this Breast Cancer Survivors Support Community, The Trust Hospital strengthens its position as a leader in comprehensive cancer care and advocacy, bringing hope and solidarity to breast cancer patients across Ghana,” the release said.
“With the assistance of Prudential Bank and Ase hair, who served as sponsors of the Survivors Day event, all 16 survivors received packages from the respective companies as tokens of support.
The Trust Hospital Company Limited is a well-known healthcare provider that is highly regarded for its exceptional healthcare services, advanced facilities, and skilled medical staff.
With more than 31 years of experience, the Hospital is committed to providing quality healthcare services that are customer-centric and utilise the latest technology to enhance stakeholder value.
Its services include general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and neurology, oncology, dialysis, among others.
GNA