Friday February 4, 2022 on the theme “Close The Care Gap” As 15,802 die of Cancers in Ghana Annually.
Ghana's version of this year’s world cancer day is being marked with a mammoth durbar by the Chiefs and people of Goaso in the Ahafo region under the auspices of Breast Care International to highlight awareness, take stock of successes recorded, and plot a path to overcome impediments in the campaign against cancers.
Ghana’s lead cancer Charity, BCI, says it would take an integrated approach by the Government, NGOs, Private sector and all stakeholders to evolve cancer-reduction strategies aimed at providing greater access to care for the poor and vulnerable.
In an overview of the 2022 world cancer day which is on the theme “Close the care gap”, BCI Founder and President, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said “cancers in Ghana could be significantly reduced if Charities operating within that space are assisted with adequate resources and logistics to reach the hinterland where the condition is pervasive, due to abject poverty and ignorance”. She also lamented a 2020 Globocan cancer report which estimates that 24,009 new cases of cancer occur annually in Ghana out of which 15,802 die. The most common cancers, according to the report, are breast, (4,482-2,055), liver, (3,45-3,166) cervix (2,797-1,69), and prostrate (2,129-1,117).
The worried Consultant Surgeon said there has been a surge in cancer cases since 2018, a situation which calls for urgent attention, and warned that breast cancer is still the lead cause of death among Ghanaian women as far as cancers are concerned.
The day is being celebrated by BCI in collaboration with the Goaso Traditional council and the Ghana NCD Alliance to expose significant barriers related to socio-economic factors that prevent many people from accessing life-saving services, including treatment and care. Consultant Urologist Dr. Samuel Amanamah and Consultant Gynaecologist Dr. Augustine Tawiah joined the Consultant Breast Surgeon Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai and took their turns to freely educate and screen several communities of Breast, Cervical and Prostate cancers, complete with screening for some non-communicable diseases.