Ghana launches 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month with call for early action

The Government of Ghana through Ministry of Health has launched the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a renewed call for Ghanaians to seek prompt medical attention for breast abnormalities, warning that delays in diagnosis and treatment can cost lives.

Launching the month-long campaign in Accra on Tuesday, Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Prof. Grace Ayensu Danquah, said the theme, “Early Action, Better Outcomes,” must translate public awareness into timely access to diagnosis and treatment.

She said breast cancer remains the leading cancer affecting women in Ghana, with an estimated 4,650 new cases and about 2,060 deaths annually, describing the disease as a major health, social and economic burden on families and the health system.

Prof. Danquah said Ghana’s response is centred on four key areas: prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment and compassionate care.

She noted that the country is promoting breast awareness, clinical breast examinations by trained health workers and stronger referral systems to ensure that suspected cases move quickly from presentation to diagnosis and treatment.

The Deputy Minister also called for continued investment in pathology, imaging and radiotherapy services, stressing that early presentation must be matched by the capacity to provide timely and effective treatment.

She identified fear, stigma, misinformation, cost and geographical barriers as some of the factors contributing to delays in seeking care.

Addressing common misconceptions, she said a biopsy does not spread cancer and urged people not to dismiss painless breast lumps or rely on unproven remedies before seeking professional medical care.

Under the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Ghana is pursuing targets that include increasing early-stage diagnosis, ensuring diagnosis within 60 days of first presentation and improving treatment completion rates.

Prof. Danquah said the breast cancer campaign also forms part of Ghana’s broader cancer-control agenda, including efforts to strengthen the National Cancer Registry and revise the National Cancer Strategy.

She further highlighted government initiatives intended to reduce the financial barriers associated with cancer and other non-communicable diseases, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares, and the Free Primary Health Care Initiative.

The Deputy Minister called on health agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, researchers, the private sector, traditional and faith leaders, survivors and caregivers to intensify public education and support for people affected by breast cancer.

Her message to the public was direct: know what is normal for your breasts and seek medical attention promptly if you notice a lump, changes in the skin or nipple, nipple discharge or swelling in the armpit.

“Go to a health facility first, not last,” she urged.

Prof. Danquah subsequently declared the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month officially launched, calling for a national commitment to early action and improved outcomes for everyone affected by breast cancer.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith