Breast Cancer in GhanaHow are we going to ‘beat’ it?

Prof J-N Clegg-Lamptey

SAMF Launch

• World: 1.4 million diagnosed annually 460,000 deaths

• Africa: 70,000 diagnosed annually 40,000 deaths

• Ghana 2,000 diagnosed annually 1,000 deaths

WHO data: Globocan 2008

In Ghana

60 – 70 % of cases are advanced 2.4% of Breast cancers occur in

men

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-80

Clegg-Lamptey & Hodasi 2006

Young age of Patients in Accra

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-80

Clegg-Lamptey & Hodasi 2006

More 30-year olds are diagnosed than 65-year olds

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-80

Clegg-Lamptey & Hodasi 2006

More 25-year olds are diagnosed than 75-year olds

Advanced tumours

• Prevention– Primary prevention not very successful– Secondary prevention (Early diagnosis/ screening) is key

• Screening– Mammography?

• For women over 40, but most of our patients are younger

– Breast Self Examination?• Not recommended in advanced countries but we highly recommend it

– Clinical Breast Examination?• We recommend annual examinations for women

– Ultrasound?• Useful in all age groups

• Early presentation to hospital

Areas For Intervention

• Early DiagnosisMammography:

Very few are available

Pathology servicesFew pathologists in the country; mainly Accra and

Kumasi

Counseling

• TreatmentCost

Prohibitive for most patients

• Palliative Care

• Early DiagnosisCounselingMammographyPathology services

• TreatmentCost

• Palliative Care

1. Surgery2. Radiotherapy3. Chemotherapy4. Hormone Therapy5. Biologic therapy

A Breast Centre for Korle Bu• Daily breast clinics• Walk-in clinics• Mammography, Breast Ultrasound• One-stop diagnosis for breast complaints• Centre for multidisciplinary team meetings• Chemotherapy suite• Counseling centre

Site is available. Funding is needed

• Advocacy

• Education

• Funding

• Research

Four pillars for the fight against Breast Cancer in Ghana

Early Detection Saves Lives