A General Surgeon at the Breast Cancer Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Josephine Nsaful, is urging the establishment of additional cancer centres across the country as Ghana battles a rising number of breast cancer cases.
Speaking during the launch of the Dzidula Breast Cancer Foundation in Accra on Sunday, December 8, 2025, Dr Nsaful revealed that the unit currently records about 600 new breast cancer cases each year, placing immense pressure on the facility.
“We see approximately 600 new cases of breast cancer every year, in addition to those already living with the disease. It is quite concerning and alarming. We are overwhelmed by the large number of patients we have to attend to,” she said.
She explained that the increasing patient load—particularly breast cancer cases—has stretched the existing capacity at teaching hospitals, especially Korle Bu, the country’s largest referral centre.
“We have one of the longest clinic days in the surgical department. It will help if we have more cancer centres across the country so that some burden is lifted from teaching hospitals and, more importantly, cancer care becomes accessible to Ghanaians,” she added.
At the same event, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Dzidula Breast Cancer Foundation, Fafa Gozo, highlighted the financial hardships many patients face during treatment.
“I have people in that room who, because of stigmatisation, do not want to be interviewed, but believe you me, they are going through a lot of financial challenges. Their treatment is often interrupted. They go today and tomorrow, and then they have to take a long break, and that doesn’t help them. So we are trying to raise money. The government cannot do it alone,” she said.
The call reinforces the urgent need for expanded cancer infrastructure to improve access and save lives.
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