Over 2,262 women succumbed to breast cancer in 2020, according to the Acting Programme Manager of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Control Programme at Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Efua Commeh.Dr. Commeh attributed these deaths to patients rejecting conventional treatment and seeking medical attention at later stages.

During the same year, more than 4,000 Ghanaian women were diagnosed with the disease.

Speaking at the 4th Annual General Meeting of the Breast Society of Ghana (BSoG), Dr. Commeh emphasized that while over 4,000 cases were diagnosed, there still remained a substantial number of women who needed screening.She expressed concern about breast cancer patients who discontinue their treatment, particularly highlighting the need for health workers, especially female professionals, to take self-breast examinations seriously.“There are a lot more lumps that have not been picked up at the hospitals and some are also hiding behind alternative medicine,” she said.According to her, although health workers actively engage in breast screening initiatives, they sometimes neglect their own health by not participating in screenings.Dr. Commeh noted that many health workers admit to not examining their breasts, which contributes to late-stage presentations of breast cancer among them.“We come into contact with many health workers who confirm to us that they do not examine their breasts or have their colleagues do the examination for them. This is bad considering the number of health workers we are seeing with late presentation of breast cancer. So we continue to tell them they are also humans therefore the need to examine themselves just like every other person,” she said.She emphasized the importance of self-examinations and urged health workers to set an example for others.Dr. Commeh stressed the significance of training and informing health workers about breast cancer screenings, stating that well-informed nurses can teach patients through demonstrations, ultimately empowering women to take control of their health.Regarding breast cancer, Dr. Commeh clarified that it is not a death sentence, contrary to some perceptions in Ghana.She mentioned that timely reporting and avoiding alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies or prayer camps, are crucial in improving outcomes.The Breast Society of Ghana, represented by its president, Dr. Hannah Ayittey Anie, strives to provide coordinated medical, allied health, and social interventions to enhance breast care standards and outcomes.Dr. Ayittey highlighted the increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer, in Africa and Ghana.She underscored the organization's commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer and dispelling misconceptions surrounding the disease, aiming to make it a well-known topic accessible to everyone.