Matilda Abolga, a teacher from the Bawku District in Ghana’s Upper East Region, has emerged as a breast cancer survivor, triumphing over years of delayed diagnoses, limited access to quality healthcare, and excruciating physical and emotional pain.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Madam Abolga recounted her breast cancer journey, which began in 2016 when she first noticed an unusual reddish discharge from her breast. Upon seeking medical attention, she was prescribed medication and advised to return for a follow-up a month later. Although the symptoms temporarily subsided, they reappeared in 2018.
When she returned to the hospital, the lack of medical doctors meant she was only seen by a medical assistant. Relying solely on her medical records, the assistant re-prescribed medication without conducting a physical examination. “There was no thorough check-up. I was just given more drugs and sent home,” she recalled.
The situation worsened in 2021 when she discovered a lump in her breast—a telltale sign of breast cancer. Determined to seek proper medical care, she returned to the hospital and insisted on seeing a specialist. However, due to scheduling constraints, she had to wait several days before seeing a surgeon.
“I went to the hospital again. When I got there, I requested to see a surgeon, and they told me I wouldn’t get one on Monday, so I should return on Wednesday—and I said okay,” she explained.
Eventually, the surgeon removed a growth from her breast, but follow-up tests indicated she needed a second surgery. This, too, was delayed due to challenges in accessing timely surgical and oncology care in the region.
Her cancer treatment journey took her to Tamale, where she faced additional logistical hurdles. There, she finally underwent surgery followed by radiation therapy, which she completed on April 21, 2023. A follow-up review in Accra a few months later officially declared her cancer-free.
“On the 21st of April 2023, I finished radiation and returned home. I went back for a review in Accra in August, and I was declared a breast cancer survivor,” she said with gratitude.
Throughout her battle, Madam Abolga endured intense physical pain and side effects of cancer treatment, including hair loss and a lack of appetite. The emotional toll of breast cancer was equally heavy, as she often struggled to express the depth of her suffering to those around her. “Even now, I don’t feel completely well—but I am thankful to be alive and cancer-free,” she said.
A Call for Early Detection and Better Access to Breast Cancer Care in Northern Ghana
Now in recovery, Madam Abolga is using her experience to raise awareness about breast cancer in Ghana, particularly among women in the northern part of the country. She is urging women to take early symptoms seriously and to seek prompt medical attention.
“Yes, we know it is expensive, but now that facilities like those in Tamale are closer to us, let us do what we can to save ourselves,” she urged.
Her story underscores the urgent need for improved cancer screening, early detection, and treatment accessibility in Northern Ghana. It also highlights the gaps in the healthcare system that continue to affect outcomes for cancer patients in rural and underserved areas.
Madam Abolga’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and hope, serving as a powerful reminder that early diagnosis and timely cancer treatment can save lives—even in the face of limited resources.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
