The stark reality of cancer in Africa is not just about the rising number of cases—it is also about access. Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, a Consultant Oncologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), has drawn attention to the deepening crisis of delayed diagnosis and treatment caused by economic hardship and inadequate public awareness.
Speaking at a cancer research symposium themed “Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building,” Dr. Ayettey revealed that Korle Bu has recorded an average of 700 cancer cases annually since 2005—a figure that reflects a larger continental trend of over 24,000 new cases across Africa each year.
The symposium was organized under the Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancers (PMABC) initiative in collaboration with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). Rather than just focusing on the clinical side of cancer care, the event highlighted the socioeconomic barriers that often turn treatable conditions into fatal ones.
“The Cost of Care Is Silencing Lives”
Dr. Ayettey, who also serves as General Secretary of AORTIC, explained that financial constraints are a major reason why many African patients delay seeking medical help until their disease is at an advanced stage.
“The cancer burden in Africa is not only about biology—it’s deeply tied to poverty and access,” she said. “Many patients wait until the disease becomes complicated because they simply can’t afford the tests, let alone treatment.”
Her comments emphasized the need for governments and stakeholders to not only invest in infrastructure and diagnostics but also to address affordability and community-level education as tools for prevention.
Early Detection: A Missed Opportunity
Dr. Miriam Mutebe, President of AORTIC, added to the urgency of the message, noting that many cancers—including breast cancer—are treatable and even curable when caught early. Yet, due to lack of awareness and financial support, patients often arrive too late.
“In West Africa, breast cancer remains the leading cancer among young women. The tragedy is that with early detection, survival rates can be as high as 90%. But we’re missing that opportunity.”
Beyond the Hospital: Community as the Frontline
Both Dr. Ayettey and Dr. Mutebe called for a paradigm shift from hospital-centric care to community-focused action. This includes public awareness campaigns, local screening programs, and training for primary healthcare workers to recognize early signs.
The PMABC initiative, central to the symposium, aims to use precision medicine and genomics to develop tailored treatments for aggressive cancers in African populations. But without addressing access and affordability, experts fear breakthroughs may remain out of reach for most patients.
Conclusion
The symposium was not just an academic gathering—it was a call to action. If Africa is to win the fight against cancer, experts argue, then investment in research must go hand-in-hand with investment in people, particularly in education, affordability, and early intervention systems. Otherwise, hundreds of preventable deaths—like the 700 recorded annually at KBTH—will continue to mark the failure of a system unable to protect its most vulnerable.
