The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has been recording an average of 700 new cancer cases each year since 2005, highlighting the growing threat of the disease in Ghana and across Africa, where over 24,000 new cases are documented annually.

The statistics were revealed by Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, Consultant Oncologist at KBTH, during a high-level cancer research symposium aimed at exploring the unique characteristics of cancers in Africa to improve treatment outcomes.

The event, covered by the Ghana News Agency, was hosted under the theme: “Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building.”

The symposium formed part of the Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancers (PMABC) initiative, which seeks to advance cancer care across Sub-Saharan Africa through research, collaboration, and tailored treatment approaches.

“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,” Dr. Ayettey explained.

Dr. Ayettey, who also serves as the General Secretary of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), emphasised that many African patients face significant socio-economic barriers, including the high cost of treatment, leading to delayed diagnosis and complications.

She called for greater public awareness, early screening, and community involvement to increase early detection and improve survival rates.

The symposium brought together researchers, oncologists, and policymakers to address the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer in Africa, including breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Miriam Mutebe, President of AORTIC, echoed the call for early diagnosis:

“Many cancer patients are potentially treatable and curable if diagnosed earlier,” she said.

She highlighted that breast cancer, particularly among young women in West Africa, remains the most common form of the disease. However, with early detection, survival rates can reach as high as 90%.

The conference concluded with a strong call to action for increased investment in research, diagnostic infrastructure, and patient support systems—a necessary step to combat the growing cancer crisis on the African continent.

GNA