October is globally observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month -a period dedicated to raising awareness, honouring millions of lives touched by the disease, and reaffirming the worldwide commit­ment to equitable access to care and improved survival for all.

This annual observance, marked in countries across the globe, serves as a rallying point to increase attention and support for early diagnosis, treatment, and survi­vorship. The 2025 theme, “Every story is unique, every jour­ney mat­ters,” plac­es a spot­light on the deeply personal expe­riences of breast cancer survivors and patients. It underscores the diversity of their struggles while reinforc­ing the urgent need for compassion­ate, timely, and quality care re­gardless of geography, income, or back­ground.

Be­hind every diagnosis lies not only a medical condition but also a story-one filled with courage, resilience, and hope. These sto­ries extend beyond individuals, shaping the experiences of their families, friends, and entire communities.

Breast cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approx­imately 2.3 million women were diagnosed in 2022, and about 670,000 died from the disease.

“These are not just numbers but mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends who deserve hope and digni­ty,” the WHO emphasises.

Survival rates, however, differ starkly across regions. While the five-year survival rate exceeds 90 per cent in high-income countries, it drops to 66 per cent in India and 40 per cent in South Africa. The reasons are clear: unequal access to early detection, timely diagnosis, and effective treat­ment.

If current trends remain un­checked, both incidence and mortali­ty are projected to rise by 40 per cent by 2050. To address this, the WHO established the Global Breast Can­cer Initiative in 2021, working with partners to strengthen health systems and reduce preventable deaths world­wide.

The situation in Ghana

In Ghana, breast cancer poses a particularly pressing public health concern. It is the most common cancer among women, accounting for about 15 per cent of all malignancies.

Studies reveal a troubling trend: almost 70 per cent of women are diagnosed at advanced stages, where treatment options are limited and sur­vival rates much lower. In 2012, near­ly half of Ghanaian women diagnosed with breast cancer lost their lives to the disease.

These statistics point to late presentation, cultural stigma, and limited access to screening facilities as some of the key factors fuelling high mortality.

Experts warn that unless more women come forward for early screening and timely treatment, these figures may remain stubbornly high.

Executive Secretary of the Breast Cancer Society of Ghana (BCSG), Mrs Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, said the numbers are not just statistics, they represent lived experiences. A sur­vivor herself, she knows first-hand the difference early detection and treatment can make.

“My journey could have ended differently if I had ignored the early signs,” she reflected. “That is why the theme ‘Catch it early, treat it right, survive it’ is not just a slogan to me. It is a lifeline that can save countless women.”

Mrs Kumah-Dzagah believes aware­ness is the first weapon in the fight. She stresses that women must be proactive, know their bodies, and act quickly when something feels unusual.

“A lump, nipple discharge, or changes in the skin should never be ignored or treated with fear and si­lence,” she explained. “Hospitals and screening centres are there to help us, not to harm us. Early detection gives the best chance for a cure.”

The Executive Secretary also raised concern about the role of mis­information and reliance on untested remedies saying, too often, delays and misplaced trust in alternative cures cost lives.

“Treating it right means trusting science and trained professionals,” she stressed. “Modern treatment -whether surgery, chemotherapy, ra­diotherapy, or hormone therapy -may be tough, but it saves lives. I went through these treatments myself, and though the journey was not easy, I am living proof that treatment works when given at the right time.”

Her message resonates strongly in a society where cultural beliefs some­times discourage women from seeking hospital care, and myths about breast cancer fuel stigma.

For Mrs Kumah-Dzagah, survival is not simply about conquering the dis­ease. It is also about reclaiming life, hope, and purpose.

“Breast cancer is not a death sen­tence,” she affirmed. “Survivorship comes with challenges, but it also brings strength. Today, I speak not just for myself but for every woman still in the fight.”

A call for collective action

Mrs Kumah-Dzagah believes that breaking the silence and stigma around breast health is critical. She called on women, families, and com­munities to support open conversa­tions and proactive health checks.

She said “let us be bold to check, quick to act, and committed to supporting each other. If we catch it early and treat it right, we will surely survive it.”

She said, BCSG continues to lead nationwide campaigns to create awareness, encourage screening, and support patients and survivors.

Through advocacy and education, the organisation, she said reminds women that vigilance, timely treat­ment, and community support can turn the tide against breast cancer.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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