Ridge Hospital surgeon emphasizes emotional support in cancer care

Dr. Nana Ama Christian, a specialist surgeon at Ridge Hospital, has emphasized that cancer care must extend beyond medical treatment to include comprehensive emotional support. Speaking on TV3’s The Afternoon Show, she noted that a diagnosis often triggers a difficult emotional journey characterized by fear, uncertainty, and depression, which can sometimes lead patients to avoid necessary medical care due to misinformation.

To combat the perception of cancer as a death sentence, the hospital utilizes counseling and survivor testimonials to provide hope and demonstrate medical advancements. Dr. Christian also highlighted the necessity of supporting caregivers and families, noting that physical changes resulting from treatment, such as mastectomies, require collective adjustment to a ‘new normal.’