By Solomon Gumah, GNA
Tamale, Sept. 01, GNA – Some Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine sellers in the Northern Region have undergone training, to recognise early signs and symptoms of breast cancer to facilitate timely referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
The initiative formed part of an interventional study on breast cancer recognition, aimed at addressing delays in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in the region.
The training was supported by City Cancer Challenge, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, the International Society of Cancer Care, and Ma Yurilim Cancer Care through the Oncology Nurse Leadership Programme in Africa.
Mr Mohammed Ziblim Osman, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Northern Regional Hospital, addressing participants at Tamale, said the training was informed by research showing that many people first resorted to OTC medicine sellers and community pharmacies when they experienced health problems.
He said some patients with breast-related complaints were often given painkillers and other medications resulting in delays in seeking appropriate hospital care, which could lead to cancer being detected at an advanced stage.
Mr Osman said the intervention brought together OTC medicine sellers, as well as nurses and doctors working in cancer care, to establish effective communication and referral systems for suspected cases.
He said the goal was to enable medicine sellers to recognise warning signs and symptoms and direct patients to health facilities for proper clinical assessment and treatment.
Mr Osman said cancer cases reported at the Northern Regional Hospital increased by between 20 and 30 per cent annually, with preliminary data for 2026 suggesting that cases could double.
He expressed concern that many patients reported to the hospital at stages where treatment could no longer effectively cure the disease, making early detection and referral critical to improving survival and quality of life.
He explained that the postgraduate programme at UHAS was designed to equip oncology nurses with leadership and research skills, adding that the intervention formed part of the requirements for his current programme.
He said about 40 to 45 OTC medicine sellers had so far been trained with participants selected through a research sampling process, to assess the impact of the intervention.
Dr Richard Anthony, the Medical Director of the Northern Regional Hospital, underscored the need to equip nurses and other health professionals with the knowledge and skills required to improve cancer awareness, early detection and care.
He said strengthening the capacity of frontline health workers and referral networks was critical to ensuring that cancer patients received appropriate care early enough.
Mr Braimah Muhammad, an OTC medicine seller at Gumbihini, in the Tamale Metropolis, who participated in the training, said it had changed his understanding of how to handle breast-related complaints.
GNA
Edited by Eric K Amoh/ Christabel Addo
01 Sept. 2026
Writer’s Email: [email protected]