By Samira Larbie
Accra, Oct. 01, GNA – Ghana will join the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign in October with a renewed focus on early detection and timely treatment.
More than 5,000 breast cancer cases are recorded annually in Ghana, with about 2,695 deaths, making early diagnosis and access to quality care key priorities for the campaign.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), World Health Organisation (WHO) and development partners will promote breast cancer awareness, early detection, diagnosis and treatment under Ghana’s theme, “Early Action, Better Outcomes,” alongside the global theme, “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.”
Known as Pink October, the annual campaign will focus attention on breast health, the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of seeking medical attention promptly when abnormalities are detected.
Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for about 25 per cent of all cancer cases. More than 2.4 million women are diagnosed annually, while about 694,000 die from the disease.
The disease can occur in women of any age after puberty, although the risk increases with age. About 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.
In Ghana, the October campaign is expected to place particular emphasis on addressing late presentation, strengthening early detection and improving referral pathways for people who require further assessment and treatment.
Dr Fiona Braka, WHO Country Representative, said breast cancer remained a major public health challenge in Africa, where many women continued to present at health facilities with advanced disease.
In a speech prepared for the national launch of the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she said the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative aimed to reduce breast cancer mortality by 2.5 per cent annually, a target that could save millions of lives by 2040.
She said achieving that goal required stronger health education and promotion, timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment, as well as equitable access to screening, diagnostic services, treatment, palliative care and survivorship support.
Dr Braka called for efforts to equip women and communities with knowledge about breast cancer signs and symptoms, strengthen early detection and referral systems, expand access to quality treatment and provide sustained support to survivors and their families.
Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the GHS, said early detection was critical to achieving better outcomes and urged women and families not to ignore unusual changes in the breast.
“Early detection really provides a good outcome for women all over,” she said, stressing that breast health awareness should be incorporated into routine health education throughout the year.
She said the GHS, in partnership with other stakeholders, was implementing a breast cancer project to strengthen clinical breast examination, patient navigation, breast cancer education and referral services.
Dr Pearl Nanka-Bruce, Country Director of Jhpiego, said late presentation remained a major challenge and called for sustained awareness beyond the October campaign.
She said Jhpiego was implementing a project in selected regions to train health workers in clinical breast examination, ultrasound and core biopsy, while equipping district health facilities with essential equipment.
Since the commencement of the project, she said, more than 80,000 people had been screened, with more than 1,900 people navigated for further diagnosis.
Dr Nanka-Bruce also urged men to pay attention to their breast health, noting that although breast cancer was less common among men, they could also develop the disease and should seek medical attention when they noticed abnormalities.
She said breastfeeding did not prevent women from undergoing breast examinations and encouraged mothers who noticed unusual changes to seek medical attention promptly.
With October approaching, health authorities and their partners are expected to use the campaign to reinforce public education on breast cancer, encourage early presentation and strengthen linkages between detection, diagnosis and treatment.
The campaign will also highlight the need for breast cancer awareness to continue beyond October, particularly through routine health education and access to appropriate care.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Samira Larbie