Doctor Florence Dede explained that the cancer experience is not just an intrapersonal one; it is also shared by those close to the person, such as spouse and children which creates a huge burden, both socially and financially on the family.
The doctor also said, “Breast cancer which mostly affects women can be so overwhelming considering the roles women play when life seems so full, it’s overflowing with growing families, career, friends and loved ones. Although men suffer from the disease, there is only a rare 1-2% of such cases.”
Doctor Dede added, “Some men do get breast cancer, but they are very few when we take 100 people in Ghana who have breast cancer, only 1-2% are men so overwhelmingly it’s a disease that affects women and I am sure we all know the role that women play in the homes, in the society, in the nation at large.”
The doctor concluded by saying, “Treatment of breast cancer is not cheap, unfortunately. There is a lot that goes into the treatment considering the many hospitals' trips, drugs, and surgery to correct the illness makes the financial burden on the family unbearable.”
