Petra Ibum Adjah: Empowering Cancer Patients Through Survivor Stories
Petra Ibum Adjah, Communications Manager for Pink Africa Foundation (PAF) and Non-Clinical Oncology Patient Navigator, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“‘Hey Survivor, the revolution is ignited by your lived experience.’ – Petra A.
For many Africans, seeing more survivors of cancer who are speaking up is strange.
You see, cancer has been a taboo subject for far too long.
Largely misunderstood and disguised as a curse or punishment for wrongdoing.
In putting an end to the misconceptions and myths surrounding cancer, the lived experiences of survivors have been utilized as a testimonial of survival.
Sharing their stories has been a sure way to create awareness and incite advocacy and change.
As a non-clinical oncology patient navigator, the reason a patient makes a decision to stay true to their treatment plan isn’t always about what I’ve said.
Most times, all they need to make that move is hearing a survivor who has gone through it speak.
I’ve had a couple of those calls where I’ve needed to connect a patient to a survivor, so they can see that it’s possible to survive a cancer diagnosis.
These testimonials help to reduce feelings of isolation, depression, and anxiety; enhance coping and self-management; and lead to better-informed patients.
Cheers to the bravery of bold survivors like Mfon-Abasi Idio, Elizabeth Ugwoma Awo-Ejeh, Olufunmilayo Akinade, Gloria Chinyere Okwu, Abigail Simon-Hart, etc., who are living examples of a cancer diagnosis not being a death sentence.”
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