The Eastern Regional Health Directorate has warned that declining reported breast cancer cases in the region may be masking a growing problem of late detection, as fear, shame and misconceptions keep women away from screening.
The Regional Health Director, Dr. Damien Punguyire, raised the concern at a breast cancer awareness campaign organised by the Health Accountants Staff Association.
Data from health facilities in the Eastern Region show a steady decline in reported cases over the past three years.
In 2023, 289 cases were recorded, declining to 150 in 2024 and 117 in 2025. As of June 2026, 99 cases had been reported across health facilities in the region.
But Dr. Punguyire says the decline should not automatically be interpreted as progress, as fear, shame and misconceptions could be preventing women from undergoing screening and seeking timely diagnosis.
“It doesn’t mean there are no more cases. It only means that we are picking fewer cases and the rest are not being picked. So, awareness creation is very important. Once we are able to create awareness and more women are able to undergo screening, we will pick up more cases and then they will be treated. What we really want to do is to pick up the cases early before they spread, because when they spread, the chances of survival are lower,” he said.
Public Health Specialist and Non-Communicable Diseases Coordinator, Dr. Abigail Doduwah Sackey, also emphasised the importance of early detection and prompt medical attention in improving treatment outcomes.
“If you are a woman and you have not examined your breast, that’s a bad habit. We do not want you to come in the late stages. We are saying that early detection saves lives,” she said.
Stephen Addo is the President of the Health Accountants Staff Association in the Eastern Region.
“As accountants and public servants, we are trained to check figures carefully and to spot what is wrong before it becomes costly. Today, I urge all of us to give our health the same attention,” he said.
By Yvonne Neequaye
