A breast cancer surgeon at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr. Ismael Kyei, has expressed deep concern over the rising number of breast cancer-related deaths among Ghanaian women, attributing the problem largely to delays in diagnosis rather than lack of awareness.

Speaking at a training workshop for doctors and sonographers from district hospitals, Dr. Kyei explained that while many women are now more aware of breast cancer symptoms, the challenge lies in the limited capacity of peripheral hospitals to conduct timely diagnostic tests.

“Currently, patients have to travel long distances to major facilities such as Komfo Anokye and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospitals for diagnosis and biopsies,” he said.

“This causes unnecessary delays that often worsen patient outcomes.”

To address this, the workshop aims to equip doctors and sonographers at district hospitals with the necessary skills to diagnose breast cancer and perform biopsies locally.

This decentralised approach, according to Dr. Kyei, will significantly shorten the time between detection and treatment, improving survival rates and overall patient care.

The training, held in Kumasi, was organised by Jhpiego in collaboration with the Pfizer Foundation, Ghana Health Service, and the Ministry of Health, under the BEAT Breast Cancer Project.

Dr. Kyei further highlighted the urgent need for more specialists, noting that Ghana currently has fewer than 20 pathologists and a limited number of breast cancer surgeons to serve the entire population.

He therefore called on the government, private sector, and Non-Governmental Organisations to work together to strengthen breast cancer care nationwide.

Some participating doctors expressed optimism that the training would enhance their capacity to provide early diagnosis and better management of breast cancer cases within their districts.