Breast cancer awareness and screening in Ghana

Medical professionals and survivors in Ghana are addressing challenges related to breast cancer detection, specifically focusing on the impact of misinformation and psychological barriers.

Dr. Angela Kutin Mensah has worked to debunk local myths, such as the unfounded belief that certain physical practices can prevent the disease. While noting that partner familiarity may help identify physical changes like lumps or asymmetrical shapes, she emphasized that such observations are not substitutes for professional clinical screening.

Further efforts by specialists and survivors, including Barbara Dowuona and Dr. Wallace Ashitey Odiko-Ollennu, have highlighted that many patients delay necessary care due to hospital anxiety, fear of diagnosis, or a reliance on unscientific remedies. Experts continue to urge prompt medical attention to prevent the disease from advancing, particularly in cases of early, non-invasive stages like ‘carcinoma in situ’ much like reports from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital which recorded 234 confirmed cases in 2025.