The Ministry of Health has reasserted its commitment to advancing breast cancer care in Ghana, with a special focus on early detection, affordability, and compassion for patients with advanced stages of the disease.
This assurance was given by the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah at the 6th Annual General and Scientific Meeting 2025 held under the theme: “Advanced Breast Cancer – The Underserved Majority: Challenges and Opportunities.”
In her address, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah emphasised that breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Ghanaian women, largely due to late detection and barriers to timely, affordable treatment. She noted that while high-income countries report survival rates of nearly 90 per cent, Ghana’s survival rate remains below 40 per cent, underscoring the need for urgent and coordinated action.
“The Ministry of Health views this year’s theme as a call to action. Our vision is to shift diagnosis from advanced stages III and IV towards earlier stages where interventions are most effective and survival chances greatest,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister outlined the Ministry’s breast cancer strategy built on three key pillars: Access, Affordability, and Compassion. She emphasised integrating breast health services into the Free Primary Health Care initiative to ensure timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment for all women, supported by community awareness campaigns and improved referral and treatment systems.
She highlighted that the NHIA continues to cover breast cancer care, with the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) providing additional financial support for vulnerable patients. She also underscored the Ministry’s commitment to compassionate care, focusing on dignity, psychosocial support, and holistic treatment, especially for women with advanced breast cancer.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah also disclosed that the Ministry is in the process of establishing a National Cancer Registry to provide reliable data on cancer incidence, treatment outcomes, and survival rates, which will guide planning, policymaking, and resource allocation.
“We cannot achieve this goal alone. We therefore extend an earnest appeal to our development partners, research institutions, civil society organisations, and the private sector to support this effort. Together, we can improve outcomes for breast cancer patients and all those affected by cancer in Ghana,” she concluded.
