Rising breast cancer mortality in South and West Africa

Health authorities in South Asia and West Africa are reporting significant challenges regarding breast cancer incidence and mortality rates.

In Nepal and Sri Lanka, breast cancer is emerging as a critical crisis. In Nepal, annual diagnoses have risen to approximately 5,000 cases, overtaking cervical cancer as the most common cancer among women. Experts attribute this rise to lifestyle factors including obesity, tobacco use, and environmental pollution. In Sri Lanka, high mortality rates are linked to late-stage diagnoses, particularly in rural areas where screening access is limited.

In Ghana, medical specialists from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and other institutions continue to warn that while incidence is lower than in Western nations, the death toll remains disproportionately high. Approximately 2,700 women die annually from roughly 5,000 diagnosed cases, with nearly 70 percent of patients presenting at an advanced stage.

New warnings from the Breast Society of Ghana suggest that misconceptions and social stigma are further hindering diagnosis and treatment. Professor Josephine Nsaful, president of the society, noted that approximately 90 percent of diagnosed women have no family history of the disease, a myth that often leads women to skip essential screenings. Consequently, between 70 and 80 percent of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, despite survival rates exceeding 90 percent when detected early.

Medical professionals, including surgeon Dr. Serah Kaneh, are calling for an end to the stigmatization of patients, emphasizing that the disease is not contagious. To combat these rates, various initiatives have been launched during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including community outreach and screening programs by Adamus Resources Limited and the Telecel Ghana Foundation.