Defying the odds: Tema nurse recounts heart-wrenching breast cancer battle!

At 35 years old, Sarah Mensah [not her real name] was a vibrant mother of two and a dedicated nurse in the buzzing Tema city. 

Sarah utilizes her job knowledge and experience to ensure a hygienic home and a healthy lifestyle.

However, she was not spared, as one of the deadliest health conditions struck at a time she least expected.

Her life took a wrong turn after a routine self-examination showed a lump in her right breast. Initially, she dismissed it as hormonal changes, but as a healthcare professional, she knew the importance of vigilance.

Recounting her journey to hell and back, she recounted to The Ghana Report in an emotional interview that she sought medical advice.

She proceeded to the Ghana Port and Harbour Authority Hospital for an initial check-up in early March 2023.

After undergoing a mammogram and biopsy, her worst fears were confirmed: she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer.

“Hearing the diagnosis was devastating,” Sarah recalled. “But I knew I had to be strong for my children.”

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 2.3 million new cases diagnosed in 2020 alone.

 

In 2020, breast cancer accounted for 19.5% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Ghana.

Breast cancer incidence in Ghana is estimated to be between 15.2 and 35 patients per 100,000 people.

Nearly 2300 out of 5000 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year die of the disease, according to the Global Cancer Observatory report.

However, Sarah resolved not to be counted among the statistics of the dead but the cancer survivors who lived to inspire others.
Determined to fight, Sarah scheduled surgery to remove the tumour at Narh Bita Hospital.

Without delays, the procedure was carried out by a team of surgeons after preparatory sessions.

The cost of her treatment was significant, amounting to nearly 10,000 Ghanaian cedis, but thanks to her health insurance, she spent nearly 3,000 cedis out of pocket for initial tests, surgery, and subsequent chemotherapy sessions.

With fresh wounds and the trauma of going under the knife, post-surgery presented another difficult period, prompting her to stay off work for many months to recover.

“I needed to focus on getting better so I could be there for my kids,” she shared.

The road to recovery was gruelling and tedious, filled with nausea, hair loss, and constant fatigue.

However, the unwavering support of her family kept her spirits high.

“They filled my darkest days with laughter and love,” she said. “Every day was a new battle, but I was not alone.”

Despite the challenges, Sarah emerged from her journey with a renewed sense of purpose.

She understood the importance of education and awareness regarding breast health.

“I want women to know that early detection can save lives. Don’t ignore the signs,” she emphasized.

By the end of her treatment, Sarah was declared cancer-free, but her journey did not end there.

“Breast cancer was a significant chapter in my life, but it didn’t define me. It ignited a fire within me to help others,” she reflected.

Sarah’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

Through her journey, she not only conquered her own battle with breast cancer but also became an advocate for education on self-exams and early detection.

Her experience underscores the vital message that courage, community, and awareness can transform fear into strength, inspiring others to face their challenges head-on.