{
  "id": 8923582,
  "title": "Researchers seek a role for Ghana's traditional healers in breast cancer care",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/researchers-seek-a-role-for-ghanas-traditional-healers-in-breast",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-21T13:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-role-ghana-traditional-healers-breast.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Ghana and many African nations, traditional healers and faith-based practitioners frequently form the backbone of patient care, employing herbal treatments, spiritual healing, and customs handed down through generations. Renowned for their community trust and affordability, these practitioners are often viewed as more patient-centric compared to conventional healthcare. However, traditional medicine's widespread use presents a challenge: over 80% of Ghanaian women diagnosed with breast cancer are at an advanced stage, leading to less favorable treatment outcomes and a lower likelihood of cure or survival. Breast cancer ranks as the most prevalent cancer among Ghanaian women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with a five-year survival rate falling below 50%.\n\nThe Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, alongside Dr. Beth A. Virnig of the University of Florida, are investigating the impact of traditional healers on breast cancer care. An article published in the journal PLOS One, based on interviews with these practitioners, reveals that a significant number of them possess knowledge of breast cancer's typical symptoms, such as lumps or alterations in skin and nipples, akin to conventional medical understanding. Nevertheless, many traditional practitioners tie the disease to spiritual causes, which can hinder timely referral to orthodox healthcare. Dr. Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah, an associate professor at KNUST, notes that this spiritual attribution might delay patients seeking essential orthodox medical intervention until their spiritual healing is concluded.\n\nThe KNUST–UF research highlights that Ghanaian women's cancer diagnosis and treatment paths often diverge from linear patterns. Women may initially turn to traditional medicine, either before or after diagnosis, or may attempt orthodox care initially before reverting to traditional methods due to financial constraints or adverse side effects. While the focus of the KNUST–UF study is on Ghana, complementary or alternative medicine is increasingly prevalent globally. A 2023 study from Utah's cancer centers found that more than 70% of cancer patients incorporate alternative therapies into their treatment regimens, driven by a desire for accessible, holistic, and personally aligned care. Dr. Virnig emphasizes the importance of recognizing that traditional and faith-based healers provide significant social, religious, and spiritual support, which conventional care may not adequately address. She advocates for acknowledging and integrating the emotional and psychological needs of patients into their care journey, including encouraging open communication about the use of alternative therapies with their healthcare providers. The researchers agree that future strategies to enhance breast cancer care in Ghana should explore collaborative pathways that leverage the strengths of both traditional and orthodox medicine, aiming to improve early detection and overall health outcomes for patients.",
  "summary": "In Ghana and many African countries, traditional medicine practitioners and faith healers play a prominent role in patient care. These practitioners use herbal remedies, spiritual healing or other practices rooted in local customs or knowledge passed down through generations. Trusted by their communities, they are accessible, affordable and regarded as more patient-centered than conventional or…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "NCD burden rising as Ghana struggles with prevention, awareness and long-term care – Health Expert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/ncd-burden-rising-as-ghana-struggles-with-prevention-awareness-and",
        "published": "2026-09-19T02:51:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}