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A Ghanaian Council Member of African Organization Research and Treatment in Cancer (AORTIC), Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has made it clear that prayer camps have no room for cancer.

She said, spiritual leaders have the least or no knowledge about cancer, and detain patients with the belief that it is spiritual attack and must be prayed for instead of hospital treatment.

“With these incidences, cases are therefore reported late to the hospitals when the tumors have gone out of hand, and Mastectomy (removal of breast) or breast conserving (lumpectomy) by radiation is the only option, adding we are not against prayers but a prayer without works is not effective”.

Dr. Beatrice Wiafe a General Surgeon and Consultant Breast Surgeon, is also the Founder and President of Breast Care International (BCI) Ghana, an NGO, was addressing members of the Kumasi Diocese of Methodist Church Ministers Spouses Association, during free breast cancer education and clinical screening in Kumasi, last Saturday.

She said her initial research had indicated that ignorance was responsible for the late presentation to hospitals of breast diseases for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ghanaian breast cancer campaigner and advocate and one of Africa’s best known female agents of change on breast cancer and health issues with high academic and professional standing, lamented that throughout her practice as a surgeon witnessed the stark venality of breast diseases especially breast cancer which was usually reported to the consulting room at advanced stages when treatment became clinically impossible.

Since the cause of cancer is not unknown worldwide, BCI and Peace and Love Hospitals (PLH) have embarked on a nationwide training of nurses, local organizations, churches among others.

Dr. Wiafe is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospitals in Accra and Kumasi, appealed to women to conduct Self Breast Examinations (SBE), Clinical Examinations and Mammogram tests for early defection, and should not refrain from visiting the hospital since the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) covers part of breast cancer treatment.

Dr Beatrice Wiafe donated 200 pieces of Breast Self Examination Kits to the participants to enable them conduct their Breast Self Examination on monthly basis.

The president of Ministers Spouses Association, Mrs. Mary Sarfo Kantanka on behalf of the Association expressed her gratitude to Dr. Wiafe and her Team for their support, adding “this is the first of its kind in the church”.

The medical Team clinically screened over 200 women for symptoms of breast diseases especially breast cancer.
Those with suspicious symptoms were referred to hospitals for further investigations and treatment.