Ghana is set to join the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign in October with a renewed focus on early detection and timely treatment. The country records over 5,000 breast cancer cases annually, resulting in approximately 2,695 deaths. As a result, early diagnosis and access to quality care are key priorities for the campaign. This year's theme, "Early Action, Better Outcomes," alongside the global theme, "Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters," aims to promote breast cancer awareness, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Breast cancer is a significant public health challenge globally, accounting for about 25% of all cancer cases among women. More than 2.4 million women are diagnosed annually, with approximately 694,000 deaths reported. In Ghana, the disease can occur in women of any age after puberty, although the risk increases with age. About 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age. The Ghana Health Service (GHS), World Health Organisation (WHO), and development partners will lead the campaign to focus attention on breast health and the importance of seeking medical attention promptly when abnormalities are detected.
The October campaign in Ghana will emphasize addressing late presentation, strengthening early detection, and improving referral pathways for people requiring further assessment and treatment. Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Country Representative, stated that breast cancer remained a major public health challenge in Africa, where many women continued to present at health facilities with advanced disease. The WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% annually, a target that could save millions of lives by 2040.
Dr. Braka emphasized that achieving the goal required stronger health education and promotion, timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, as well as equitable access to screening, diagnostic services, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship support. She called for efforts to equip women and communities with knowledge about breast cancer signs and symptoms, strengthen early detection and referral systems, expand access to quality treatment, and provide sustained support to survivors and their families.
Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the GHS, stressed that early detection was critical to achieving better outcomes and urged women and families not to ignore unusual changes in the breast. She said breast health awareness should be incorporated into routine health education throughout the year. The GHS, in partnership with other stakeholders, is implementing a breast cancer project to strengthen clinical breast examination, patient navigation, breast cancer education, and referral services.
Dr. Pearl Nanka-Bruce, Country Director of Jhpiego, noted that late presentation remained a major challenge and called for sustained awareness beyond the October campaign. Jhpiego is implementing a project in selected regions to train health workers in clinical breast examination, ultrasound, and core biopsy, while equipping district health facilities with essential equipment. Since the project's commencement, over 80,000 people have been screened, with more than 1,900 people navigated for further diagnosis.
Health authorities and their partners are expected to use the campaign to reinforce public education on breast cancer, encourage early presentation, and strengthen linkages between detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The campaign will also highlight the need for breast cancer awareness to continue beyond October, particularly through routine health education and access to appropriate care. Key stakeholders will work together to promote breast health and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly when abnormalities are detected.
Key points
- More than 5,000 breast cancer cases are recorded annually in Ghana, resulting in approximately 2,695 deaths.
- The WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5% annually.
- Over 80,000 people have been screened for breast cancer since Jhpiego's project commenced.
