Media urged to promote accurate information on breast cancer

The media has been urged by an oncology nurse at Ho Teaching Hospital to provide more airtime for health professionals to educate the public about breast cancer. This was during the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Launch, Sensitisation and Screening Programme held in Ho. The event was organized under the theme “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.

United for a Breast Cancer-Free Ghana: Early Detection, Early Action, Better Outcomes”. The nurse, Georgina Yawa Gyamfi, expressed concern over the spread of misinformation about breast cancer that fuels fear and anxiety among the public. She highlighted that some individuals allegedly pay media houses to spread inaccurate information about the disease, which could mislead the public and discourage timely medical attention.

Nurse Gyamfi appealed for media organizations to work with qualified health professionals to provide more airtime for accurate information on breast cancer causes, prevention, early detection, and treatment. She emphasized that increased public education could encourage prompt medical care and reduce complications from late detection.

According to the WHO's Global Breast Cancer Initiative, established in 2021, the goal is to diagnose at least 60% of breast cancers at an early stage, complete diagnosis within 60 days, and ensure that 80% of diagnosed patients complete their treatment. Nurse Gyamfi also called on the government to establish and equip more cancer treatment centers across the country to ease the pressure on the existing ones and ensure timely access to quality care for all.