Story by:Andy Koranteng
Author and cancer advocate Benjamin Brantou has called on health institutions to be more proactive and timely in treating cancer patients, following his personal experience of losing his wife to the disease.
Speaking in a one-on-one interview on the Morning Show, Social Friday, on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Nana Dogbe, Mr. Brantou recounted the difficult journey his late wife went through during her cancer treatment.
According to him, his wife initially received treatment at a hospital in Cape Coast while they were travelling. He said the treatment reportedly led to a significant improvement in her condition, with doctors informing them that her cancer had been reduced to about three percent.
Mr. Brantou explained that because the couple lived in Accra, they were advised to return home and continue her treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
However, he said delays in continuing the treatment at Korle Bu became a major concern.
He explained that by the time treatment eventually resumed, his wife’s condition had deteriorated significantly, forcing doctors to restart the treatment process.
“The delay alone to continue her treatment took so long. When they finally started to continue her treatment, her sickness had gone worse and moved from 3% to 100%, and we had to start the treatment all over again from stage one,” he said.
Mr. Brantou believes delays in cancer treatment can have serious consequences for patients whose conditions require urgent medical attention.
He is therefore urging healthcare institutions to act quickly and proactively when treating cancer patients, particularly when patients are being referred from one facility to another.
His story highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, referral, continuity of care and prompt treatment in the fight against cancer.
Mr. Brantou also used the platform to share his experience as a cancer advocate and to encourage greater public awareness about the disease and the need for early and continuous medical care.
