Africa records more than 24,000 new cancer cases each year, with Ghana’s Korle Bu Teaching Hospital reporting an average of 700 cases annually since 2005.
This was revealed by Dr Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, Consultant Oncologist at Korle Bu, during a cancer research symposium focused on advancing cancer treatment tailored to African populations.
The event was held under the Precision Medicine for Aggressive Breast Cancers (PMABC) initiative.
Dr Ayettey emphasised the need for collaborative research to improve cancer care across Africa, stating:
“The mission of PMABC is to build capacity among institutions and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa to reduce the cancer burden through advanced research and equitable healthcare delivery.”
As General Secretary of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), she highlighted the dual challenge African cancer patients face — not only due to genetic predisposition but also from socio-economic hardship and costly treatments.
She urged early hospital visits for timely detection and management, adding that public awareness and community support are essential to reducing the cancer burden.
The symposium, themed “Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building”, was organised in collaboration with AORTIC. It brought together regional and international experts to examine high-burden cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers.
Dr Miriam Mutebe, AORTIC President, also stressed early diagnosis, saying:
“Many cancer patients can be treated or cured if diagnosed early. In West Africa, breast cancer is common among young women, but early detection helps 90% survive.”
The event marked another step toward strengthening cancer care systems across the continent through research, training, and innovation.
