Ghanaian doctor debunks breast cancer prevention myth

Dr. Angela Kutin Mensah of Chrispod Hospital has debunked a common myth in Ghana claiming that breast sucking can prevent breast cancer. Speaking at a screening campaign organized by the Adunyame Foundation and Hadassah Network Outreach on October 9, 2026, Dr. Mensah clarified that there is no medical basis for the belief.

Instead, she noted that physical intimacy and familiarity between partners can serve as an informal early-warning system. Partners may be more likely to notice physical changes such as lumps, asymmetrical changes in breast size or shape, or unusual nipple discharge. While these observations can prompt a woman to seek medical attention sooner, Dr. Mensah emphasized that such familiarity is not a substitute for professional clinical screening.

The medical advice follows reports from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, which recorded 234 confirmed breast cancer cases in 2025.