By Ruth Serwaa Asare
The Ministry of Health has launched the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Accra under the theme, “No one should face breast cancer alone.”
In a press release signed by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ministry explained that the annual commemoration aims to raise awareness, promote early detection, and strengthen access to quality breast cancer care nationwide.
Globally, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, with about 2.3 million cases and 670,000 deaths recorded in 2022 alone. In Ghana, the disease accounts for 31 percent of all female cancers, with 8 out of 10 cases still detected at advanced stages, far from the World Health Organization’s global target of shifting 60 percent of cases to early diagnosis.
The release noted that while breast cancer care is covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme, financing for other forms of cancer treatment continues to pose a challenge. To bridge this gap, the government has committed to supporting cancer treatment through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares,” which focuses on financing non-communicable diseases.
This year’s activities will include nationwide awareness campaigns, free screenings, community education programmes, and advocacy for equitable access to treatment. The Ministry is calling on the public to take advantage of available screening services and support people affected by the disease.
The Health Minister emphasised that no one’s life should be cut short due to late detection or lack of access to care, reaffirming the government’s commitment to joining the global community in the fight against breast cancer.
