Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has recorded an average of 700 cancer cases each year since 2005, highlighting a persistent trend amid Africa’s broader cancer crisis, which sees more than 24,000 new cases reported annually.
The alarming figures were revealed by Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, Consultant Oncologist at KBTH, during a cancer research symposium aimed at exploring the unique biology of cancers in African populations to enhance treatment outcomes. The event, reported by the Ghana News Agency, formed part of the Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancers (PMABC) initiative.
“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,” said Dr. Ayettey, who also serves as General Secretary of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC).
She noted that economic hardship and high treatment costs continue to delay access to cancer care for many patients, stressing the importance of early detection and increased public education.
The symposium, themed “Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building,” was organised in partnership with AORTIC and brought together oncologists, researchers, and health professionals to tackle the continent’s most prevalent cancers—including breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and esophageal cancers.
Dr. Miriam Mutebe, President of AORTIC, echoed the urgency of early diagnosis, noting that many cancer patients could be treated and even cured if diagnosed in time. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among young women in West Africa, but early detection has enabled survival rates of up to 90%,” she said.
The event concluded with a strong call for more investment in cancer research, diagnostics, and patient care infrastructure, as well as a renewed commitment to building regional capacity through collaborative initiatives like PMABC.
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