Breast Cancer in Ghana: Know the Signs, Get Screened Early (Pink October 2026)

By Dr. Francis Kutin, ND, MPH | Naturopathic Physician and Medical Science Communicator | BF Naturopathic Health Care and Research, Agona Duakwa, Central Region, Ghana
Published 28 October 2026 | Pink October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you have found a lump or any unusual change in your breast, please go to a health facility now. Do not wait, and do not treat it with herbs or prayer alone. Most breast cancers found early can be treated successfully.

Every October, Ghana marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, popularly known as Pink October. The 2026 national campaign was launched on 1 October in Ho under the theme “Every Story Is Unique, Every Journey Matters”, with the call for early detection, early action and better outcomes. Health officials have urged every Ghanaian to “go to a health facility first, not last.” With the month nearly over, this is a good time to review what every woman, and every man, should know.

Key Takeaways

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ghana, with roughly 4,650 to 5,000 new cases and about 2,000 deaths each year.
• Most women in Ghana are diagnosed late, when treatment is harder, longer and more costly. Early detection saves lives.
• Know the warning signs, check your breasts regularly and ask a trained health worker for a clinical breast examination.
• Since April 2026, breast cancer screening has been added to the benefits under Free Primary Healthcare, and national health insurance supports treatment. Confirm what applies at your facility.
• Fear, stigma, cost, distance and unproven remedies cause dangerous delays. Seek medical care first.

Breast Cancer in Ghana: The Numbers

• Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in Ghana. Government figures given at this year’s launch cite about 4,650 new cases and 2,060 deaths a year, and the Gender Minister, citing Ghana Health Service data, referred to about 5,000 new cases and nearly 2,000 deaths.
• Late presentation is the hallmark of the disease in Ghana. Studies and health agencies report that somewhere between 60% and 80% of women are diagnosed at advanced stages (stage III or IV).
• Ghana does not yet have a national breast screening programme, and mammography is not available in every region, which makes breast awareness and clinical breast examination especially important.

Behind every statistic is a mother, sister, daughter or friend. The good news is that when breast cancer is found early, it is far more treatable, treatment is simpler and survival is much better.

Know the Warning Signs

See a health worker promptly if you notice any of these changes in one or both breasts:

• A lump or thickening in the breast or under the arm
• A change in size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling, puckering or thickened skin, sometimes like the skin of an orange
• Redness, scaling or rash on the skin or nipple
• A nipple that turns inward, or discharge (especially bloody) from the nipple
• Persistent pain in one area that does not go away
• A swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone
• An open sore or wound on the breast that does not heal

Many breast lumps turn out not to be cancer, but only a health professional can tell. A painless lump is the most common first sign, so do not wait for pain.

Who Is at Risk?

Being a woman and getting older are the biggest risk factors, but breast cancer can affect women of any adult age, and men can get breast cancer too, although it is less common. Other factors include:

• A family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Overweight and obesity, especially after menopause
• Alcohol and tobacco use
• Physical inactivity and a poor diet
• Starting periods early, reaching menopause late, or having a first child late or not breastfeeding
• Previous radiation to the chest, and long-term use of menopausal hormone therapy

Not everyone with risk factors gets breast cancer, and many women who get it have no obvious risk factor. That is why checking and screening matter for everyone.

What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

• Keep a healthy weight. See our evidence-based guide to healthy weight loss.
• Be active: brisk walking, farming, gardening or sport on most days.
• Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco. Read To Live Longer: 5 Habits and Foods to Avoid for a Healthier Life.
• Breastfeed your babies if you can. Breastfeeding lowers risk, though it does not provide complete protection.
• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole foods, and limit processed foods and sugary drinks.

These steps lower risk but cannot guarantee protection, so keep up regular checks.

Breast Awareness: How to Check Your Breasts

Being “breast aware” means knowing what is normal for you so you can notice changes early. Do this once a month, a few days after your period ends (or on the same date each month if you no longer have periods):

1. Look in a mirror with your arms by your sides, then raised. Check for changes in size, shape, skin or nipples.
2. Feel each breast with the flat of your fingers, using small circular motions and light, medium and firm pressure. Cover the whole breast, from collarbone to bra line and from armpit to breastbone.
3. Check lying down and in the shower, when soapy skin makes it easier to feel changes.
4. Squeeze each nipple gently and note any discharge.

Self-checks do not replace examination by a trained health worker. If you notice anything unusual, go for a clinical breast examination.

Screening: What to Ask For

• Clinical breast examination (CBE): A nurse, midwife or doctor examines your breasts and armpits. Ask your health worker how often you should have it, and start earlier if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. You can ask at your nearest health centre, clinic or hospital.
• Mammogram or breast ultrasound: Mammography is the standard screening test in many countries, and the World Health Organization recommends screening mammography every two years for women aged 50 to 69 where health systems can support it. Ultrasound is often used for younger women with dense breasts. Access varies across Ghana, so ask your health worker for a referral.
• If something is found: Further tests (imaging and a biopsy, where a small sample is taken) confirm whether it is cancer.

Cost and insurance: Since April 2026, the Free Primary Healthcare programme has been reported to include breast cancer screening under the National Health Insurance Authority’s benefits package, and national health insurance already supports breast cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Services and coverage differ between facilities, so ask your local facility what applies to you. Free screening outreaches are also held during Pink October by the Ministry and other partners.

If You Find a Lump or Change

1. Stay calm, but act promptly. Most lumps are not cancer, but all need checking.
2. Go to a health facility within days, not months. Ask for a clinical breast examination and a referral for tests.
3. Do not delay for herbal treatments, spiritual healing or home remedies. These cannot treat breast cancer, and waiting can allow it to spread.
4. Take someone with you for support, and ask questions.
5. Follow through: Complete tests and treatment. Stopping halfway greatly lowers the chance of cure.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted treatments. The earlier the stage, the more treatment options there are and the better the outcome. The World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims for at least 60% of breast cancers to be found at an early stage, diagnosis within 60 days of a first visit, and at least 80% of patients to complete their recommended treatment.

Herbs and supplements: No herb or supplement has been shown to cure breast cancer. Some can interfere with cancer treatment. If you wish to use any alongside treatment, tell your cancer doctor first. See our article on judging herbal claims.

Myths and Facts

Myth	Fact
Breast cancer is a curse or caused by witchcraft.	It is a disease with medical causes. It is not a curse, and it is not contagious.
Removing the breast means you will die anyway.	Surgery, often with other treatment, can cure early breast cancer. Delay is what costs lives.
A lump that does not hurt is harmless.	Painless lumps are common in breast cancer. Always get checked.
Only older women get it.	It can affect women of any adult age, and men too.
Herbs and prayer can cure it.	There is no proof that herbs cure breast cancer. Prayer can support you, but go to a health facility first.
Having no family history means no risk.	Most women who develop breast cancer have no family history.

How Families, Men and Communities Can Help

Officials at this year’s launch stressed that tackling breast cancer is not only a women’s responsibility. Men can:

• Encourage wives, partners, mothers, daughters and sisters to get checked, and go with them.
• Support treatment financially and emotionally, and never blame or abandon a woman with breast cancer.
• Check themselves, because men can develop breast cancer too.
• Speak out against stigma and myths in churches, mosques, workplaces and communities.

Employers can allow time off for screening, and community and faith leaders can share accurate information.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should I start checking my breasts?
Start becoming breast aware from your early 20s, and have regular clinical breast examinations as advised by your health worker. Ask earlier if you have a family history.

Does a mammogram hurt or cause cancer?
It can be uncomfortable for a moment, and the radiation dose is very low. The benefit of finding cancer early is far greater than the tiny risk.

Can breastfeeding or wearing a bra cause breast cancer?
Breastfeeding lowers risk. Bras do not cause breast cancer.

Can breast cancer be cured?
Yes, especially when found early. Many women live long lives after treatment.

Where can I go for screening?
Your nearest health centre, polyclinic, district or regional hospital, or a Pink October screening outreach. Ask about Free Primary Healthcare screening.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is a major health challenge in Ghana, but it is not a death sentence. Women who know the signs, check their breasts, get examined by a trained health worker and start treatment early have the best chance of survival. Let this Pink October be the month you check yourself and encourage three other people to do the same. As this year’s theme reminds us, every story is unique and every journey matters. Together, we can make early detection the rule, not the exception.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have symptoms or concerns, see a qualified healthcare professional promptly. See our full Medical Disclaimer.

References and Further Reading

• Graphic Online. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month launched in Ho, October 2026.
• Ghana News Agency. Ghana launches Breast Cancer Awareness Month with call for early action, September 2026.
• Ghanaian Times. Breast cancer claims nearly 2,000 lives yearly, Gender Minister, 28 October 2026.
• News Ghana. Late breast cancer diagnosis puts Ghana’s workplaces on notice, October 2026.
• The impact of a breast cancer educational intervention in Ghanaian high schools. Study describing late presentation in Ghana.
• World Health Organization. Breast cancer (fact sheet).

About the Author

Dr. Francis Kutin, ND, MPH, is a naturopathic physician, public health researcher and medical science communicator based at Agona Duakwa in the Central Region of Ghana. He writes about health education, naturopathic health care and evidence-informed wellness through BF Naturopathic Health Care and Research. Contact us.