Breast cancer mortality rate in Ghana still alarming – Dr Wiafe Addai

In spite of heightened and continuous public education on breast cancer and the need for timely treatment, the mortality rate remains alarming in Ghana.

At least, eight thousand breast cancer patients have lost their lives for reporting to the hospital late between 2021 and 2024, according to figures from the Breast Care International.

Issues of stigmatization and myth surrounding the disease, according to advocates against breast cancer, still form major contributory factor to the mortality rate.

“Since 2020, breast cancer has continuously claimed at least 2,300 lives annually in Ghana out of the 5,000 diagnosed, even in the wake of intensified awareness creation of the disease. Though curable, many patients continue to succumb to breast cancer due to delay in seeking treatment. This is unacceptable”, President of Breast Care International, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai emphasized.

At the launch of the 2024 Walk for Cure event scheduled to be held at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region on October 12, the breast cancer expert called for a joint collaboration to prevent such avoidable deaths.

“I know that together we can change the narrative about cancers in Africa. We can’t continue to die prematurely. Most of these deaths are preventable with early detection and treatment”, she observed.

Dr Wiafe Addai proposed the absorbing of the diagnostics of the disease by government to encourage patients seek treatment on time.

The Walk for Cure is an annual event organized by Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospital together with some partners in the health sector, that creates awareness of breast cancer disease and its treatment.

This is to help address misconceptions surrounding the disease.