Ghana Marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Urgent Call for Women to Practice Monthly Self-Examinations

As Ghana joins the global community in marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October 2025, a sobering reality confronts the nation. The nations’ health data shows breast cancer accounts for 31 percent of all female cancers in Ghana, with 8 out of 10 cases still detected at advanced stages. This stands in stark contrast to the World Health Organization's global target of shifting 60 percent of cases to early diagnosis.

The difference between life and death often comes down to one simple practice: knowing your own body through regular breast self-examination. When breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Yet in sub-Saharan Africa, the reality is devastating. Only 1 in 3 women survived for 7 years after diagnosis, according to the latest African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) cohort study.

This October, as Ghana paints buildings pink and social media fills with awareness ribbons, the message must be clear: breast cancer awareness is not just about wearing pink—it's about taking action that saves lives.

On Wednesday, 1st October 2025, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, officially launched the '2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month', signaling the government's commitment to addressing this critical health challenge.

The launch comes at a crucial time when Ghana must confront the harsh reality that despite the obvious visibility of the breast, late-stage detection continues to claim too many lives. The question that haunts healthcare providers across the nation is: How can a disease affecting such an accessible part of the body still be detected so late?

The early detection of breast cancer through annual mammography and other breast exams is the best defense against receiving a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis. Generally speaking, the earlier the cancer is detected, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome.

But here's the critical reality for Ghana: while mammography is the gold standard for screening, access to this technology remains limited, particularly in rural areas and for low-income women. This is where breast self-examination becomes not just important, but potentially life-saving.

Most often, when breast cancer is detected because of symptoms (such as a lump in the breast), a woman discovers the symptom during usual activities such as bathing or dressing. This underscores a powerful truth: women themselves are often the first to detect changes in their breasts.

Research supports this patient-driven detection. In a study of 462 breast masses, 96% of cancers and 81% of ultrasound findings resulted from patient-identified lumps. These numbers demonstrate that women who know their bodies and pay attention to changes play a crucial role in their own healthcare.

While Ghana has made strides in healthcare provision, mammography facilities remain concentrated in major urban centers. Northern Ghana, for instance, lacks radiotherapy centers, with patients facing significant barriers to accessing advanced cancer treatment. For many women, particularly in rural areas, regular mammograms are simply not accessible or affordable.

While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. This distinction is crucial. Breast self-examination is not about trying to diagnose cancer, but about becoming so familiar with your breasts that you notice when something changes.

Regular breast self-examination familiarizes women with their normal breast tissue, making it easier to detect when something changes. This familiarity can lead to earlier medical consultation and potentially earlier diagnosis. Below shows the three-step self examination process:

Step 1: Visual Inspection - Stand before a mirror with arms at your sides, then raised above your head, and finally with hands on hips pressing firmly to flex chest muscles. Look for any changes in breast contour, swelling, dimpling, or nipple changes.

Step 2: Lying Down Examination - Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using the finger pads of your left hand, move around your right breast in a circular pattern, covering the entire breast and armpit area. Apply light, medium, and firm pressure at each location. Repeat on the other side.

Step 3: In the Shower Examination - Many women find it easier to examine their breasts when their skin is wet and soapy. Using the same circular pattern and varying pressure, check for any lumps or thickening.

Breast self-examination should be performed monthly. For menstruating women, the best time is a few days after your period ends when breasts are least likely to be swollen or tender. For women who no longer menstruate, choose a specific day each month and stick to it.

Breast cancer is a formidable opponent, but early detection provides a powerful weapon in the fight against it. In Ghana, where access to advanced screening remains limited for many women, breast self-examination represents a crucial, accessible tool for early detection.

This October, as Ghana marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025, let the message be clear: awareness without action changes nothing. Every woman must commit to knowing her body, performing regular breast self-examinations, and seeking medical attention for any changes.

The power to detect breast cancer early doesn't solely reside in expensive equipment or specialized facilities—it begins with you, with your hands, with your awareness of your own body. In a country where mammography remains inaccessible to many, this power becomes even more crucial.Your life or the life of someone you love may depend on it. Early detection saves lives, and early detection begins with you.

Osei Boaitey, PhD/ OD/ MPH/ MCHES
[email protected]