Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has been documenting an average of 700 cancer cases each year since 2005, as Africa continues to grapple with over 24,000 new cases annually.
Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, Consultant Oncologist at KBTH, revealed the figures during a cancer research symposium focused on understanding the unique characteristics of cancers in Africa to improve treatment outcomes, as reported by the Ghana News Agency.
The event was held under the banner of Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancers (PMABC), a research initiative aimed at advancing cancer care across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Ayettey emphasised the need for collaborative research and capacity building to tackle the growing cancer burden.
“The mission of PMABC is to strengthen institutions and researchers across Africa to reduce the cancer burden through advanced research and improved care for diverse populations globally,” she said.
Dr. Ayettey, who also serves as General Secretary of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), highlighted the socio-economic barriers many cancer patients in Africa face, particularly the high cost of treatment, which often delays access to care.
She urged patients to seek early medical attention to avoid complications and called for increased public awareness and community involvement to promote early detection.
The symposium, themed “Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building,” was organised in partnership with AORTIC. It brought together leading researchers and health professionals to address high-burden cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers.
Dr. Miriam Mutebe, President of AORTIC, underscored the importance of early diagnosis. “Many cancer patients are potentially treatable and curable if diagnosed earlier,” she noted.
She added that while breast cancer is the most common cancer among young women in West Africa, early detection has led to survival rates of up to 90%.
The symposium reaffirmed the urgent need for investment in research, diagnostics, and patient support systems to stem the growing tide of cancer across the continent.
GNA