Breast cancer is increasingly affecting younger women in Ghana, with cases being recorded among women as young as 22.
At the Annual General and Scientific Meeting of the Breast Society Ghana on Thursday, August 20, experts and survivors called for stronger national action and sustainable policies to close gaps in breast cancer care.
Experts say 60 to 80 percent of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, increasing treatment costs and reducing patients’ chances of survival.
Stigma, financial constraints and limited access to treatment also continue to affect patients and their families.
President of the Breast Society Ghana, Josephine Nsaful, called for stronger referral systems and improved access to quality breast cancer care.
She urged women to change their mindset about screening and seek medical attention when they notice changes in their bodies.
“If you notice something, say something, and breast cancer is curable when we get it in. It’s true, treatment can affect your fertility to some extent, but most women, their fertility will recover and have children, so certainly all is not lost.”
Specialist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mary-Ann Dadzie, expressed concern over the increasing number of younger women presenting with breast cancer, often at advanced stages.
“We see a total of about 2,500 new cases in my centre, so we are seeing about 500 new cases just in the centre, but then we are finding out that we are getting more and more younger patients now, and they usually come in very, very late and very advanced.”
She attributed treatment interruptions partly to the high cost of care, distance, equipment challenges and inadequate patient education on side effects.
“A lot of times it’s because of the financial toxicity. The treatments are expensive, and then there are other things like distance. They may stop the treatment at a point, especially when they come and the machine is not working… they will just not come again.”
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Hajia Shemima Muslim, said the financial burden of breast cancer treatment on women is also a major concern.
She said government efforts are aimed at ensuring women no longer have to choose between meeting basic family needs and paying for cancer treatment.
“A woman should never have to choose between feeding her children and saving her own life. A woman should never have to lose her home to pay for cancer treatment.”
For 50-year-old breast cancer survivor Dorothy Afenyo, the diagnosis came as a shock despite undergoing routine health screening.
She said a lump she noticed was initially dismissed, but she later pursued further checks that confirmed the cancer.
“Whatever changes you see in your body, pick it up and follow up on it. Maybe if I had followed up on mine earlier… maybe I wouldn’t have to go through the treatment.”
Now cancer-free, Dorothy is looking forward to celebrating her 50th birthday with her family and children.
Experts are urging women to prioritise regular screening, report unusual changes early and adhere to prescribed treatment to improve outcomes.
