Breast Care International (BCI) has called on women in Ghana to prioritize breast health and early detection as the country continues to face a substantial burden of breast cancer.
The call was highlighted during a breast cancer sensitization program at the Assemblies of God Church in Nsawam, in Ghana’s Eastern Region, where health advocates emphasized regular breast examinations, timely medical attention, and continued public education.
Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Founder and President of Breast Care International, said more than 5,000 Ghanaian women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, while more than 2,300 die from the disease.
She described the level of mortality as a major concern, particularly because outcomes can be substantially improved when breast cancer is identified and treated at an earlier stage.
“This is unacceptable. It’s close to 50 per cent, and that is something that should concern all of us.”
Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai
Dr. Wiafe Addai encouraged women to become familiar with changes in their breasts and to seek clinical evaluation and screening rather than delaying medical attention until symptoms become advanced. BCI also emphasized that breast cancer awareness campaigns should continue throughout the year rather than being concentrated only around Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
The burden highlighted by BCI is also reflected in international cancer estimates. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN 2022 data, an estimated 5,026 new breast cancer cases occurred in Ghana in 2022. Breast cancer accounted for 31.4% of new cancers among women and was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the country overall.
Awareness Beyond October
The initiative also emphasized that breast cancer education should continue throughout the year rather than being concentrated only around Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Princess Asiedu, wife of the Assemblies of God Eastern Region B Superintendent, thanked Dr. Wiafe Addai and Peace and Love Hospitals for their work in breast cancer awareness and care.
According to Asiedu, the program helped participants understand that breast cancer does not necessarily represent a death sentence when identified early. She encouraged women to undergo regular screening and also appealed to husbands to support their wives following a breast cancer diagnosis rather than abandoning them during treatment.
Wife of the Assemblies of God Eastern Region B Superintendent, Mrs Princess Asiedu
Early Presentation Could Improve Outcomes
Dr. Elise Cook, formerly of the American Cancer Society and currently a volunteer with Breast Care International, highlighted delayed presentation as another important challenge.
She noted that breast cancer mortality remains substantially higher in Ghana than in the United States and said some women do not seek medical care until their disease has reached an advanced stage.
Cook urged women to seek medical evaluation immediately after noticing unusual breast changes, particularly a lump.
“That would make a huge difference in their lifespan.”
Dr. Elise Cook
Her remarks underscored the potential impact of earlier presentation on treatment opportunities and outcomes.
Breast Care International has continued to promote breast cancer education, screening and early diagnosis across Ghana, with the latest initiative reinforcing a central message: awareness must translate into timely medical evaluation and treatment if avoidable breast cancer deaths are to be reduced.
Read further on OncoDaily: Fighting Cancer With Peace And Love: Dr. Beatrice Addai Wiafe
