Ghana records over 16,000 cancer cases annually

The Health Ministry has revealed that it is deeply worried about the increasing cases of cancer in the country.

Ghana records about 16,000 cancer cases each year. As part of today’s World Cancer Day celebrations, the Health Ministry says it is waging a campaign for early diagnosis and treatment.

Victor Bampoe, the Deputy Health Minister, said immediate action must be taken because the survival statistics does not look encouraging.

“Cancer is emerging as one of the biggest killers in Ghana. We have 16,000 cases every year and the statistics for survival doesn’t look good,” Dr. Bampoe said.

He also added that over 30 percent of cancers can be treated through early diagnosis.

“What has been recognised by our health officials is that people don’t come early, and so the cancers are not detected early. By the launch of this national strategic plan, there are plans in there that people are educated about coming early so that they are screened and if some cancer is detected then the chances of survival are higher”.