Kumasi: A professional midwife and throat cancer survivor, Mary Amankwaa Fordjour, has shared how a moment involving her favourite meal led to a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, as she now uses her journey to raise awareness about the disease. Speaking in an interview on Angel FM, Mary recounted that her health challenges began in the early 2000s after a fish bone got stuck in her throat while she was eating a favourite meal, banku with tilapia.
According to Ghana Web, Mary explained that her family's attempts to dislodge the bone using banana, bread, and other foods were unsuccessful and instead worsened the situation by pushing it deeper into her throat. This led to emergency surgery at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital within 24 hours of the incident.
Mary revealed that about seven years after the surgery, she began experiencing persistent hoarseness, a condition she had never previously encountered. Though she sought medical care after noticing the change in her voice, doctors were initially unable to determine the exact cause despite several tests. Frustrated by the lack of answers, Mary stopped pursuing further treatment.
Her situation worsened when she discovered a painless lump at the back of her head. With her medical background, she initially treated it with antibiotics, but it persisted. A specialist consultation later confirmed a diagnosis of throat cancer.
Mary disclosed that she subsequently underwent several surgeries, including the removal of affected tissues and her larynx, to save her life. Following the stage 4 cancer treatment, she is no longer able to speak naturally and now communicates using a device fitted to her throat.
Her journey from choking on a fish bone to battling stage 4 cancer serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected ways life can change, and she hopes her story will raise awareness about the disease.