Ghanaian-British singer and media personality Stephanie Benson has recounted a frightening near-death experience during a 34-hour surgery to remove her breasts following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Benson disclosed that the complex procedure nearly cost her life after fluid began accumulating in her chest, leaving her struggling to breathe.
Recalling the ordeal, she said a nurse remained by her bedside and prayed for about an hour as she battled to survive the life-threatening complications.
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The experience, she explained, profoundly changed her outlook on life and strengthened her resolve to support women diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly those undergoing mastectomy and adjusting to life after the procedure.
Benson has since been using her personal experience to encourage women facing similar challenges, offering reassurance to patients undergoing treatment and participating in support groups to help survivors rebuild their confidence and embrace their bodies after surgery.
She expressed concern that some women delay or reject potentially life-saving treatment because of fear, stigma and societal expectations surrounding femininity, physical appearance and marriage.
According to her, the fear of losing a breast or being judged by a partner should not prevent women from making decisions that protect their health and preserve their lives.
She is therefore urging women to seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes in their breasts and to follow professional medical advice rather than allow social pressure or fear of rejection to determine their treatment choices.
Benson also emphasised the importance of helping women understand that undergoing a mastectomy does not diminish their worth, identity or femininity.
Her advocacy focuses on encouraging women to prioritise their survival, accept the changes that may accompany treatment and recognise that life after breast cancer can still be meaningful and fulfilling.
She stressed that women must put their health first, noting that staying alive for themselves and their children is more important than conforming to society’s expectations of how a woman’s body should look.
Her account adds to ongoing conversations about breast cancer awareness, early detection, access to treatment and the emotional support women need throughout their cancer journeys.
Editor’s note: Before publication, verify the details of the 34-hour surgery and the circumstances of Benson’s near-death experience against her original interview or public statement.
