By Samira Larbie
Accra, Sept. 30, GNA – The Ministry of Health has called for intensified efforts to promote early detection and timely treatment of breast cancer as Ghana launches the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pinktober.
The national launch, held on the theme: “Early Action, Better Outcomes,” brought together health officials, development partners, civil society organisations, researchers, survivors, caregivers and other stakeholders to renew the national commitment to reducing deaths from breast cancer.
It was organised by the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners.
Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister of Health, said breast cancer remained the foremost cancer among women in Ghana, with an estimated 4,650 new cases and about 2,060 deaths recorded annually.
She said the disease had significant emotional, social and financial consequences for families, while also placing considerable pressure on the health system.
“Awareness alone is, therefore, clearly not enough. We must turn awareness into action and commitment into health services that save lives,” she said.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah said Ghana’s response to breast cancer was anchored on four pillars: prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment and compassionate care.
On prevention, she encouraged the public to maintain a healthy weight, engage in physical activity, limit alcohol consumption and support breastfeeding.
She said Ghana was guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Breast Cancer Initiative, which sought to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5 per cent annually.
The Deputy Minister said three key benchmarks under the initiative were to have at least 60 per cent of cancers diagnosed at an early stage, diagnosis within 60 days of first presentation, and at least 80 per cent of patients completing treatment.
She said achieving those targets required stronger breast awareness, examination by trained health workers and effective referral systems to ensure that patients moved quickly from presentation to diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah called for the strengthening of pathology, imaging and radiotherapy services, noting that early presentation could save lives only when timely diagnosis and treatment followed.
She identified fear, stigma, misinformation, cost and geographical distance as some of the barriers delaying access to care.
“The biopsy does not spread cancer. Delay does,” she said, urging people not to rely on unproven remedies before seeking medical attention.
She also urged women and men to report changes such as breast lumps, changes in the skin or nipple, nipple discharge or swelling in the armpit promptly to a health facility.
The government’s broader cancer control agenda included strengthening the National Cancer Registry and revising the National Cancer Strategy to promote a more equitable and people-centred cancer care system.
She said the National Cancer Forum, held in November 2025, had strengthened partnerships in prevention, early detection, treatment and data systems.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah said government was also operationalising the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCare, to support Ghanaians living with non-communicable diseases, including cancers, where treatment costs could otherwise become catastrophic.
She said the Free Primary Health Initiative would further expand public education, screening and timely referral.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah urged stakeholders to sustain breast cancer awareness beyond the month-long campaign and take the message to communities across the country.
She encouraged Ghanaians to “know what is normal for your breast” and seek medical attention promptly when abnormalities were detected.
“Go to a health facility first, not last,” she said.
The Deputy Minister subsequently declared the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month officially launched and called for continued partnership among government agencies, research institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector, community, faith and traditional leaders, survivors and caregivers to improve outcomes for people affected by breast cancer.
Dr Victor Dedjor, the Chief Executive Officer of Soyuz Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Ltd, speaking on the accessibility of mammography services, said limited access to mammography remained a major public health concern.
He said his personal experience with breast cancer had motivated him to develop mobile mammography services to take screening closer to women across the country.
“I believe that if we should have those kinds of mammograms across the length of Ghana, it will save a lot of lives,” he said.
Dr Dedjor said the initiative required strong collaboration and financial support because of the cost involved in deploying mobile mammography units.
He disclosed that the first screening exercise under the initiative targets about 200 women who would be screened free of charge through sponsorship.
He called for the model to be expanded to Ghana to improve access to screening services, particularly for women in underserved communities.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Samira Larbie