The rising rate of breast cancer among women in Ghana is being driven by limited public education, delayed screening and the use of unapproved treatments, according to Dr David Sunu, chief executive of Ridge Medical Center (RMC).
Dr Sunu said there was insufficient scientific evidence to support herbal medicine as a treatment for cancer, warning that relying on it could delay hospital care.
“Some studies reveal that about 50 to 80 per cent of those with breast cancer report to the hospital late, in the late stage, and this makes it difficult for medical intervention to prevent death,” he said.
He was speaking in Accra on Monday, October 5, when RMC launched its Pink October campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Ghana and is also the country’s leading cause of cancer deaths among women, Dr Sunu said.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been observed in October since the eighties. It is known as Pink October because people use the colour pink and display pink ribbons to promote prevention and routine screening.
“If we can intervene in early diagnosis, then there is more that can be done to cure or prolong the life of the women who face the condition,” Dr Sunu said.
He said inadequate education, religious preferences and reliance on herbal medicine contributed to delays in seeking medical attention.
“There aren’t enough studies to justify the effectiveness of herbal medicine for cancers,” he said. “There is a lot of scientific data behind what treatment modalities are effective for different kinds of cancers; we do not have the same for herbal treatment for cancers.”
Dr Sunu urged patients to rely on treatments supported by medical evidence, warning that late presentation could allow cancer to spread to other organs and limit the options available to doctors.
He called on the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to establish stronger screening and early-detection programmes, including improved access to mammograms for women over 40, particularly in rural areas.
He also encouraged women to have a clinical breast examination at least once a year. Men can develop breast cancer, but 99% of cases occur in women, he said.
Dr Sunu rejected claims that men sucking women’s breasts reduces the risk of breast cancer. “What is known is that breastfeeding is known to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer; as to whether when men suck breasts as well, we don’t have robust data to back that,” he said.
Dr Kwame Owusu Achew, RMC’s Resident Medical Officer, identified early menarche, late menopause, smoking, alcohol use, radiation exposure, previous breast problems and a family history of the disease as risk factors. He also cited the use of emergency contraceptives, including Postino.
However, he stressed that women could develop breast cancer without any known risk factor and said screening remained essential.
Many patients diagnosed at an advanced stage later say they wish they had identified the disease earlier, Dr Achew said. He added that psychotherapy formed part of treatment to help patients manage their fear and anxiety.
