By Osei-Tutu Esther Kumah
Breast cancer survivor Miss Barbara Dowuona has described her five-year survival journey as a difficult experience. Barbara says, she would never wish the disease on even her worst enemy.
“I will never wish for even my enemy to get cancer because cancer is not easy,” Barbara said, reflecting on her experience of surviving the disease for five years and counting.
Speaking on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s (GBC) Women’s Voice programme on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Miss Barbara and public health specialist Dr Wallace Ashitey Odiko-Ollennu highlighted the challenges patients face, including fear about the disease, misinformation regarding the realities of being diagnosed, which usually result in fear of visiting hospitals and delays in seeking medical care.
Barbara Dowuona urged women to undergo breast cancer screening and seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes in their breasts.
Miss Barbara observed that, some women seek medical help only when the disease has advanced, sometimes after sores have developed on their breasts. She encouraged women to consult qualified health professionals and follow recommended treatment rather than delay care.
Dr Odiko-Ollennu explained that fear of hospitals, concerns about treatment and reliance on remedies without scientific evidence can prevent patients from accessing appropriate medical care in good time.
He cited the experience of a woman diagnosed with “carcinoma in situ” an early, non-invasive stage of cancer which consists of cells that look like cancer under a microscope, but remain confined to the tissue of origin. The woman in question was frightened by the prospect of hospital treatment and initially avoided seeking care despite receiving her results.
According to the doctor, the experience highlights the need for patients to receive adequate guidance and reassurance throughout their treatment journey. To address this challenge, Dr Odiko-Ollennu said, health professionals are implementing a patient navigator system designed to guide patients through diagnosis and treatment.
The system is intended to help patients understand their diagnosis, navigate the healthcare system, learn about treatment options and access available medical and emotional support.
“During their diagnosis, they need someone to hold their hand, somebody who is well-versed in the health system to take them to the next level,” Dr Odiko-Ollennu said.
The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing both the medical and emotional challenges associated with breast cancer, while promoting early screening, timely treatment and reliable public education.
Miss Barbara’s experience also underscores the need to ensure that patients receive the right information, reassurances generally and professional support, which they require throughout their treatment and recovery
