Don’t ignore painless lumps in breast …Women told 

Women have been asked not to dismiss painless lumps in the breast, as the absence of pain does not mean a lump is harmless.

A Specialist Radiation Oncologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Mary Ann Dadzie, said women should seek medical attention promptly whenever they noticed any unusual changes in the breast.

“A painless lump is not a harmless lump. You need to take action and not wait for pain,” she said.

Dr Dadzie made the call at the 2026 national launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held on the theme, “early action, better outcomes.”

She expressed concern that about 45 per cent of breast cancer patients seen at Korle-Bu failed to return after starting treatment.

According to her, some patients began treatment but later stopped reporting to the hospital, leaving health professionals uncertain about their wellbeing.

She attributed the situation to several factors, including fear of death, financial difficulties, long distances to health facilities, lack of time and stigma.

Dr Dadzie urged women to know their breasts and seek medical attention within two weeks of noticing any abnormality.

She said warning signs could include a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge and changes in the skin, including redness, sores or an orange-peel appearance.

She cautioned women not to assume they were safe simply because they had no family history of breast cancer, explaining that only about five to 10 per cent of women with the disease had a familial or genetic mutation.

Dr Dadzie encouraged women to undergo regular clinical breast examinations and discuss appropriate screening options, including mammography and ultrasound, with health professionals.

She also called on families, particularly husbands and partners, to support women who needed breast examinations or treatment.

“Home is where the support begins,” she said, urging families to provide practical assistance such as transportation and childcare.

Dr Dadzie further appealed for breast cancer services to be brought closer to communities through increased access to mammography, ultrasound and biopsy services, as well as the training of more health professionals.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu- Danquah, said breast cancer remained a major health concern among women in Ghana, with an estimated 4,650 new cases and about 2,060 deaths recorded annually.

She said Ghana’s breast cancer response focused on prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment and compassionate care.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the country was working to strengthen awareness, clinical breast examinations, referral systems, pathology and diagnostic services to improve breast cancer outcomes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Joana Ansong, said too many women continued to present with advanced breast cancer, resulting in avoidable suffering and deaths.

She called for stronger health education, timely diagnosis, rapid referral and equitable access to comprehensive treatment and support.

Dr Ansong said breast cancer awareness should move beyond campaigns to sustained action involving government, communities, health professionals, civil society organisations, the private sector and families.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu