Verna Vanderpuye

Verna Vanderpuye

Clinical Oncologist

Breast Oncology, Radiation Oncology

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Location Ghana, Accra

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Dr. Verna Vanderpuye is a Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Deputy Director at the National Centre of Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, where she has worked since 2000. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Oncology at Queen’s University in Canada and is affiliated with the University of Ghana and the faculty board of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Division of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. One of Africa’s most prominent oncologists, she is Co-chair of the Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer, immediate past chair of the ASCO International Affairs Committee, and Secretary-Treasurer of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). Her clinical and research interests span breast, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, sarcoma, and lung cancers, with a particular focus on the management of these cancers in Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). She has participated in multiple Lancet Commissions, served on committees of the WHO, ESMO, ASCO, UICC, IAEA, NCCN sub-Saharan resource-stratified guidelines, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. She is recipient of the 2019 International Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award from the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO and has authored or co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and technical documents on cancer care in LMICs.

Current Positions

  • Senior Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Deputy Director, National Centre of Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, 2000–present
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 2023–present
  • Co-chair, Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer
  • Secretary-Treasurer, African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), 2017–present
  • Immediate Past Chair, ASCO International Affairs Committee
  • Division Editor, Translational Oncology
  • Associate Editor, JCO Global Oncology
  • Editorial Board Member, South African Journal of Oncology
  • Editorial Board Member, ecancer
  • Board Member, C/Can (City Cancer Challenge)

Education

  • MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, 1984–1990
  • Residency, Radiation Oncology (IAEA Fellow), Howard University, Washington, DC, USA, 1995–1999
  • Fellowship, Medical Oncology (American Cancer Society Fellow), University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA, 2002–2003

Qualifications and Certifications

  • MBChB — Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • FWACS — Fellow, West African College of Surgeons
  • FGCP — Fellow, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • FASCO — Fellow, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Professional Experience

  • Faculty Board Member, Oncology and Radiotherapy Division, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (postgraduate medical training)
  • Head of Faculty, Radiology, Oncology and Radiotherapy, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, December 2012–December 2017
  • Committee member, NCCN Sub-Saharan Africa Resource-Stratified Guidelines
  • Past Council Member, AORTIC
  • Committee member, WHO, ESMO, ASCO, UICC, IAEA

Research Activity

  • Cancer care in sub-Saharan Africa and LMICs: Landmark co-authorship on the Lancet Oncology Commission on cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (The Lancet Oncology, 2022); earlier foundational work on treatment of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (The Lancet Oncology, 2013); assessment of breast cancer management in sub-Saharan Africa with longitudinal comparison of 2013 and 2018 survey data (JCO Global Oncology, 2021)
  • Women, power and cancer: Co-chair of the Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer (The Lancet, 2023); co-author on the global burden of women’s cancers (The Lancet, 2016); co-author on a proposed framework for monitoring progress at the intersection of women, power, and cancer (The Lancet, 2025); studies on challenges faced by women oncologists in Africa (BMJ Oncology, 2024); female representation in oncology leadership in Africa
  • Breast cancer in Africa and Ghana: Lead author on management of breast cancer in Africa (Infectious Agents and Cancer, 2017); assessment of breast cancer management in sub-Saharan Africa (JCO Global Oncology, 2021); breast cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa — systematic review and ethical appraisal (BMC Cancer, 2022); barriers to breast cancer care in Ghana (JCO Global Oncology, 2025); breast cancer incidence rates in Ghanaian and US Black women (JAMA Network Open, 2025); breast cancer risk in women from Ghana carrying rare germline pathogenic mutations (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2022); etiology of gene expression-based subtypes of breast cancer in the Ghana Breast Health Study (International Journal of Cancer, 2026); circulating tumor DNA in Ghanaian breast cancer patients (npj Precision Oncology, 2021)
  • Cervical cancer and gynecologic oncology: Outcomes of patients with cervical cancer treated with low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy after concurrent chemoradiation (International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2021); expanding access to CT staging and 3D intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer in Ghana (JCO Global Oncology, 2024); mapping of radiation oncology and gynecologic oncology services for cervical cancer in Africa (International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 2023); ASCO resource-stratified guideline for assessment and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (JCO Global Oncology, 2021)
  • Radiotherapy access and capacity in Africa and LMICs: Geographic accessibility of radiation therapy facilities in sub-Saharan Africa (International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 2023); access to radical and palliative radiotherapy in LMICs (Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 2025); addressing challenges in LMICs through novel radiotherapy research opportunities (The Lancet Oncology, 2024); Lancet Oncology Commission on radiotherapy and theranostics (The Lancet Oncology, 2024); clinical research mentorship programme for radiation oncology residents in Africa (ecancermedicalscience, 2021); strengthening radiotherapy capacity in LMICs (International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 2024); readiness self-assessment guide for establishing radiotherapy services in LMICs (BMC Health Services Research, 2021)
  • Prostate cancer in Ghana: Prostate brachytherapy in Ghana — initial experience and outcomes (Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy, 2016); determinants of mortality among patients managed for prostate cancer at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (Journal of West African College of Surgeons, 2023); outcomes and toxicities after treatment for localized prostate cancer in LMICs — systematic review and meta-analysis (Advances in Radiation Oncology, 2024)
  • Lung cancer in Africa: Lung cancer in Ghana (Journal of Thoracic Oncology, 2024); lung cancer in patients of African descent — transcontinental review of epidemiology, disparities, outcomes, and equity (JTO Clinical and Research Reports, 2025)
  • Cancer workforce and training in Africa: Cancer care workforce in Africa — perspectives from a global survey (Infectious Agents and Cancer, 2019); professional development among African oncologists (Journal of Cancer Education, 2025); knowledge and practice of geriatric oncology among cancer care providers in Africa (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2025); medical tourism for cancer treatment in Africa (JCO Global Oncology, 2024)
  • Value-based cancer care and Choosing Wisely Africa: Co-author on Choosing Wisely Africa recommendations; adherence to Choosing Wisely Africa recommendations in breast cancer care across sub-Saharan African centres (BMJ Open, 2025); insights from the front lines of clinical care (Journal of Cancer Policy, 2022); more drugs versus more data in LMICs (Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 2023)
  • Financial toxicity and cancer care access: Financial toxicity of cancer care in LMICs — systematic review and meta-analysis (Supportive Care in Cancer, 2022); mobile-based application interventions for cancer control in LMICs (International Journal of Public Health, 2023); quality indicators for evaluating cancer care in LMICs (The Lancet Oncology, 2024); global equity in clinical trials — ASCO policy statement (JCO Global Oncology, 2024)
  • COVID-19 and cancer care in Africa: Impact of COVID-19 on cancer care delivery in Africa (JCO Global Oncology, 2021); COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa — multi-institutional survey (International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 2021)
  • Cancer research priorities and global oncology: Redefining cancer research priorities in LMICs in the post-COVID-19 context (JCO
  • Global Oncology, 2023); priorities for cancer research in LMICs — global perspective (Nature Medicine, 2022); global cancer research in the post-pandemic world (The Lancet Oncology, 2021); sex and authorship in global cancer research (BMJ Oncology, 2024)
    Global oncology immunotherapy access: Co-author on cancer immunotherapy clinical trials to support urgently needed access in LMICs (Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 2025)
  • Aflatoxin and liver cancer: Aflatoxin exposure and primary liver cancer in Ghana (BMJ Global Health, 2025)
  • Neglected and underserved populations: Neglected cancer care needs among nomadic pastoralist communities in sub-Saharan Africa (BMJ Global Health, 2024)
  • Rare cancers and case reports: Successful treatment of metastatic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with imatinib mesylate (ecancermedicalscience, 2025); metachronous DFSP and GIST — case series with literature review (Surgical Science, 2026); hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the colon — case report (Health Sciences Investigations Journal, 2024)

Honors and Awards

  • 2019 International Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award, Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO
  • Fellow, American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO)
  • Fellow, West African College of Surgeons (FWACS)
  • Fellow, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (FGCP)
  • Recipient, IAEA Fellowship in Radiation Oncology, 1995–1999
  • Recipient, American Cancer Society Fellowship in Medical Oncology, 2002–2003

Memberships / Affiliations

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) — Fellow; Immediate
  • Past Chair, International Affairs Committee; former committee
  • member, International Affairs Committee
  • African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) — Secretary-Treasurer; Past Council Member
  • European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) — committee member
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) — Sub-Saharan
  • Africa Resource-Stratified Guidelines committee member
  • International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) — committee member
  • World Health Organization (WHO) — committee member
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — committee member
  • Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) — committee member
  • C/Can (City Cancer Challenge) — Board Member
  • Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer — Co-chair
  • JCO Global Oncology — Associate Editor
  • Translational Oncology — Division Editor
  • South African Journal of Oncology — Editorial Board Member
  • ecancer — Editorial Board Member

Areas of Specialization

  • Clinical and radiation oncology in sub-Saharan Africa
  • Breast cancer — management, disparities, and outcomes in Africa
  • Cervical and gynecologic cancers in LMICs
  • Genitourinary cancers — prostate cancer in Africa
  • Gastrointestinal and sarcoma oncology
  • Lung cancer in Africa and patients of African descent
  • Radiotherapy access and capacity building in LMICs
  • Global cancer equity and value-based cancer care
  • Cancer workforce development in Africa
  • Women in oncology and gender equity in cancer care
  • Cancer care in low- and middle-income countries

Selected Publications

Hurson AN, Butler EN, Hamilton A, Abubakar M, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Etiology of gene expression-based subtypes of breast cancer in the Ghana Breast Health Study.” International Journal of Cancer, January 2026.

Dordunoo MK, Offei KA, Brown GD, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Metachronous Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) and Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST): Case Series with Review of Literature.” Surgical Science, January 2026.

Rubagumya F, Eulade R, Nyagabona S, Booth CM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Adherence to Choosing Wisely Africa recommendations in breast cancer care: a cross-sectional study across three Sub-Saharan African centres.” BMJ Open, November 2025.

Narh CT, Afetor M, Baiden FE, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Barriers to Breast Cancer Care for Women Presenting at District and Regional-Level Hospitals in Ghana.” JCO Global Oncology, October 2025.

Starling MTM, Abdihamid O, Vanderpuye VDN, Marta G. “Access to radical and palliative radiotherapy in low- and middle-income countries: challenges, progress, and future directions.” Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, October 2025.

Davis Lynn BC, Figueroa J, Laryea D, Graubard BI, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Breast Cancer Incidence Rates in Ghanaian and US Black Women From 2013 Through 2015.” JAMA Network Open, October 2025.

Obomanu E, Jones C, Vanderpuye VDN, Hammad N. “Lung Cancer in Patients of African Descent: A Transcontinental Review of Epidemiology, Disparities, Outcomes, and Opportunities for Equity.” JTO Clinical and Research Reports, August 2025.

Dent J, Jorge MZ, Sobrevilla N, Kaufman DR, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Cancer immunotherapy clinical trials to support urgently needed access in low- and middle-income countries: a report from the SITC global access and impact committee.” Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, June 2025.

Nartey Y, Akyea RK, Cox B, Vanderpuye VDN. “Aflatoxin exposure and primary liver cancer in Ghana.” BMJ Global Health, June 2025.

Kpatsi S, Daniels J, Kyei KA, Vanderpuye VDN. “Successful treatment of metastatic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the breast to the lungs with imatinib mesylate: a case report.” ecancermedicalscience, May 2025.

Garton EM, Allman G, Bae HS, Ginsburg OM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “A proposed framework for monitoring and evaluating progress at the intersection of women, power, and cancer.” The Lancet, April 2025.

Vanderpuye VDN. “JCO Global Oncology Special Series on International Quality by IQSG.” JCO Global Oncology, March 2025.

Olapade-Olaopa EO, Mutebi M, Cofie N, Hammad N, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Professional Development Among African Oncologists: Examining Professional Development Activities, Satisfaction Levels, Barriers, and Enablers.” Journal of Cancer Education, January 2025.

Rubagumya F, Carson L, Afolayan D, Hammad N, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Medical Tourism for Cancer Treatment: Trends, Trajectories, and Perspectives From African Countries.” JCO Global Oncology, December 2024.

Scott AA, Vanderpuye VDN, Dadzie M, Milosevic M, et al. “Expanding Access to Computed Tomographic Staging and Three-Dimensional Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer in Ghana.” JCO Global Oncology, February 2024.

Mutebi M, Lewisgrant G, Mukherji D, Ginsburg OM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Sex and authorship in global cancer research.” BMJ Oncology, April 2024.

Mutebi M, Aryeetey NA, Alemu HK, Hammad N, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Challenges faced by women oncologists in Africa: a mixed methods study.” BMJ Oncology, March 2024.

Al Sukhun SA, Vanderpuye VDN, Taylor C, Moushey A, et al. “Global Equity in Clinical Trials: An ASCO Policy Statement.” JCO Global Oncology, March 2024.

McLeod M, Torode J, Leung K, Aggarwal A, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Quality indicators for evaluating cancer care in low-income and middle-income country settings: a multinational modified Delphi study.” The Lancet Oncology, February 2024.

Abdel-Wahab M, Giammarile F, Carrara M, Scott AM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Radiotherapy and theranostics: a Lancet Oncology Commission.” The Lancet Oncology, September 2024.

Abdihamid O, Rubagumya F, Vanderpuye VDN, Hammad N, et al. “Neglected cancer care needs among the nomadic pastoralist communities in sub-Saharan Africa: a call to action.” BMJ Global Health, January 2024.

Ginsburg OM, Vanderpuye VDN, Beddoe AM, Soerjomataram I, et al. “Women, power, and cancer: a Lancet Commission.” The Lancet, September 2023.

Fox L, Santaolalla A, Handford J, Van Hemelrijck M, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Redefining Cancer Research Priorities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in the Post–COVID-19 Global Context.” JCO Global Oncology, August 2023.

Rubagumya F, Manirakiza A, Booth CM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Pharmaceutical industry relationships with oncologists in sub-Saharan Africa.” The Lancet Oncology, February 2023.

Nadella P, Iyer HS, Manirakiza A, Fadelu T, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Geographic Accessibility of Radiation Therapy Facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa.” International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, March 2023.

Mensah JE, Amoah Y, Ofori EO, Vanderpuye VDN. “Determinants of Mortality among Patients Managed for Prostate Cancer: Experience from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.” Journal of West African College of Surgeons, June 2023.

Mutebi M, Lewisgrant G, Aggarwal A, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Cancer research across Africa: a comparative bibliometric analysis.” BMJ Global Health, November 2022.

Ngwa W, Addai BW, Adewole I, Kerr D, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: a Lancet Oncology Commission.” The Lancet Oncology, May 2022.

Martei YM, Dauda B, Vanderpuye VDN. “Breast cancer screening in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and ethical appraisal.” BMC Cancer, February 2022.

Ahearn TU, Choudhury AP, Derkach A, García-Closas M, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Breast Cancer Risk in Women from Ghana Carrying Rare Germline Pathogenic Mutations.” Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, June 2022.

Vanderpuye VDN, Clemenceau JRV, Temin S, Ghebre RG, et al. “Assessment of Adult Women With Ovarian Masses and Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline.” JCO Global Oncology, December 2021.

Vanderpuye VDN, Dadzie M, Huo D, Olopade OI. “Assessment of Breast Cancer Management in Sub-Saharan Africa.” JCO Global Oncology, December 2021.

Martei YM, Rick TJ, Fadelu T, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care Delivery in Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Oncology Providers in Africa.” JCO Global Oncology, December 2021.

Ahuno S, Doebley AL, Ahearn TU, Biritwum RB, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Circulating tumor DNA is readily detectable among Ghanaian breast cancer patients supporting non-invasive cancer genomic studies in Africa.” npj Precision Oncology, September 2021.

Scott AA, Yarney J, Vanderpuye VDN, Obeng-Mensah T, et al. “Outcomes of patients with cervical cancer treated with low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy after concurrent chemoradiation.” International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, February 2021.

Wong RKS, Vanderpuye VDN, Yarney J, Kassam Z, et al. “Clinical research mentorship programme for radiation oncology residents in Africa — building capacity through mentoring.” ecancermedicalscience, March 2021.

Pramesh CS, Badwe RA, Bhoo-Pathy N, Weiderpass E, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Priorities for cancer research in low- and middle-income countries: a global perspective.” Nature Medicine, April 2022.

Donkor A, Atuwo-Ampoh VD, Yakanu F, Khader J, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Financial toxicity of cancer care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Supportive Care in Cancer, April 2022.

Rubagumya F, Makori K, Borges H, Booth CM, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “Choosing Wisely Africa: Insights from the front lines of clinical care.” Journal of Cancer Policy, July 2022.

Vanderpuye VDN, Hammad N, Martei YH, Booth CM, et al. “Cancer care workforce in Africa: Perspectives from a global survey.” Infectious Agents and Cancer, May 2019.

Vanderpuye VDN, Grover S, Hammad N, Stefan D, et al. “An update on the management of breast cancer in Africa.” Infectious Agents and Cancer, February 2017.

Ginsburg OM, Bray F, Coleman MP, Conteh L, Vanderpuye VDN, et al. “The global burden of women’s cancers: A grand challenge in global health.” The Lancet, November 2016.

Mensah JE, Yarney J, Vanderpuye VDN, Sasu E, et al. “Prostate brachytherapy in Ghana: our initial experience.” Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy, October 2016.

Kingham TP, Alatise OI, Vanderpuye VDN, Denny L, et al. “Treatment of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.” The Lancet Oncology, April 2013.

All information is sourced from publicly available materials.