The Trust Hospital Company Limited has launched an innovative initiative – the Breast Cancer Survivors Support Community – as part of its ongoing commitment to the fight against breast cancer and advocacy for early screening.
This event took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 and marks a significant addition to the hospital’s Pink October campaign aimed at raising breast cancer awareness.
The event saw an 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 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.
Survivor Stories
Several 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 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 induces negative feelings but also has 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 encompasses the need for health-related screenings.
The survivor expressed gratitude for the provision of female screening personnel, as it aligns with their religious principles of modesty and privacy – and assured the women that once detection is done on time, treatment can be administered.
In his sermon, Reverend Father Doe emphasised the importance of providing support to individuals facing health challenges. Quoting Exodus 20:13, he underscored the notion that harm can be inflicted not only through physical means but also through our actions and words – particularly impacting those experiencing emotional turmoil.
Reverend Father Doe called on participants and the nation to become part of the solution by offering comfort and peace to those in need, emphasising that emotional healing is a vital precursor to physical recovery.
He urged everyone to act as sources of comfort and encouragement, ensuring that individuals traversing difficult paths receive the necessary support.
Addressing Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer
Psychologist Rebecca Darko from The Trust Hospital delivered a presentation on the psychological challenges faced by those diagnosed with breast cancer.
She highlighted that psychological distress can 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, can negatively affect health outcomes. It is crucial that patients seek the necessary support throughout their journey,” she added.
Commitment to Pink October and Beyond
As part of The Trust Hospital’s annual Pink October initiative, the newly established Breast Cancer Survivors Support Community will play an active role in raising awareness.
The group will engage in outreach programs, 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 concluded with The Trust Hospital reaffirming its commitment to continually support breast cancer survivors and raise 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; thus bringing hope and solidarity to breast cancer patients across Ghana.
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.
About The Trust Hospital Company Limited.
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 over 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.
The Trust Hospital offers a wide range of medical services including general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology and neurology, oncology and dialysis among others.
The hospital also provides emergency care and critical care services across its 4 hospitals and 5 clinics located in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The Trust Hospital is dedicated to sustainability, professionalism, teamwork, innovation, customer focus and excellence.
To access these services, patients can visit any of the facilities directly or schedule an appointment by calling 0302761974/5, 0302798290, or 0231797953. For more information, visit The Trust Hospital Website. For further enquiries drop us a mail on [email protected]
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