A general practitioner at Trust Hospital, Dr. Dorcas Anto, underscored the critical importance of regular breast cancer screenings, emphasizing that the disease affects individuals without discrimination.
According to her, every person with breast tissue is susceptible, regardless of their societal position.
In a discussion on Frontline with Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, she raised concerns about the detrimental impact of treatment delays, which can result in severe health issues and even fatalities.
Dr. Anto pointed out that approximately 70% of breast cancer patients only seek medical help when their condition has significantly worsened, leading to a 50% mortality rate among these late presenters.
Globally, around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, contributing to an estimated 670,000 deaths. While the survival rate in the United States stands at about 90% over five years, the situation in Africa is more challenging, with survival rates dropping below 40%.
“In 2022, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 deaths worldwide. Breast cancer occurs in every country of the world in women at any age after puberty, but the incidence increases in later life.
“Ghana records approximately 4,000 new occurrences of breast cancer each year, and the statistic is increasing, but the bad news is that many patients with the disease present their cases late. Approximately 70% of breast cancer patients show their cases relatively late. Out of the 70%, 50% do not survive. This is because they do not report their condition to the hospital in a timely manner. Some individuals are unaware of their ailment and do not present it on time. Some patients arrive at the hospital when their disease has progressed to the point of no return.
In Ghana, there are about 4,000 new breast cancer cases reported each year, and this number is on the rise. Dr. Anto stressed the urgent need for public education regarding the importance of early detection to improve survival outcomes.
She also highlighted age as a significant risk factor for breast cancer, referencing the World Health Organization, which identifies female gender and being over 40 as key determinants. Interestingly, many diagnosed women lack a family history of breast cancer, emphasizing that awareness and screening are vital for all, including younger women under 40.