Ghana urged to adopt rapid cancer diagnostic technology to cut delays in treatments

Founder and President of Breast Care International (BCI), Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has urged the Government to explore adopting rapid cancer diagnostic technology capable of producing breast biopsy images within five minutes to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

She said the Core View instrument could help address shortages of pathologists and limited diagnostic facilities in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries.

Dr Wiafe Addai made the call during a breast and prostate cancer awareness and screening programme organised by the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA) in Accra.

She explained that although biopsy remained the gold standard for confirming cancer, delays in analysing tissue samples often prolonged the period between detecting a suspicious breast lump and obtaining a definitive diagnosis.

The CoreView project, supported by the United States Government through an NCI Alliance initiative involving Peace and Love Hospital in Ghana, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Washington in Seattle, is evaluating the technology’s potential to accelerate diagnosis.

According to her, the equipment produces images of biopsy samples that pathologists could examine remotely and communicate findings electronically, adding that this could reduce waiting times and the need for patients in remote communities to travel long distances for specialised diagnostic services.

She urged the Government to engage the collaborating institutions and explore acquiring the equipment for public hospitals.

Dr Wiafe Addai said doctors and physician assistants in district hospitals and clinics could be trained to collect biopsy samples and operate the equipment, potentially expanding access to diagnostic services in underserved areas.

“This is equipment for all, and it is not going to be difficult for the government to come on board,” she said.

Beyond rapid diagnostic technology, she emphasised the importance of sustained screening and routine medical examinations to reduce late cancer presentation and other non-communicable diseases.

She urged employers, public institutions, private organisations and organised labour to prioritise regular medical examinations for workers and encouraged women aged 40 and above to discuss mammography with qualified healthcare professionals, while also accessing cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests, as appropriate.

She also urged men and women to monitor their blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly.

On breast cancer awareness, Dr Wiafe Addai advised women to seek prompt medical assessment whenever they noticed unusual breast changes.

She cautioned against delaying hospital visits in favour of non-medical interventions, including relying solely on prayer camps, and encouraged religious leaders to promote professional medical care.

“Not everything that affects the breast is cancer, so they should go early,” she said, noting that early assessment could improve treatment outcomes.

She attributed many preventable breast cancer deaths to patients presenting at advanced stages, when treatment could become more difficult.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, she stressed that education, screening and early diagnosis must continue throughout the year.

“October is coming to an end, but breast cancer is not ending,” she said.

She called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, the media, religious leaders, civil society organisations and employers to improve awareness and access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Wiafe Addai said BCI would mark 25 years of breast cancer advocacy in Ghana next year, expressing hope that the milestone would renew national commitment to reducing late presentation and preventable deaths.

She said sustained investment in diagnostic capacity, public education and screening was essential to improving cancer care and ensuring timely access to appropriate treatment.

Dr Emmanuel Kafui Ayodeji, Specialist Surgeon and Senior Resident at the Urology Department of the 37 Military Hospital, who spoke on prostate cancer, said early detection was critical to effective treatment and improved patient outcomes.

He explained that prostate cancer diagnosis could involve prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, physical examination, and a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer.

Dr Ayodeji said treatment depended on the stage of the disease, noting that while early-stage cancer could be treated, advanced cases might require therapies aimed at controlling its progression and improving patients’ quality of life.

He urged men, particularly older men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, to discuss screening with health professionals and avoid delaying hospital visits when symptoms developed.

He also encouraged the public to adopt healthy lifestyles, including eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables and tomatoes, exercising regularly, and attending routine medical check-ups.

Dr Adam A.A. Bonaa, Executive Secretary of NACSA, also urged the public to prioritise regular medical screening for breast and prostate cancers to promote early detection and save lives.

He said early detection significantly improves the chances of survival, urging men and women to undergo regular health checks and seek prompt medical attention when they notice unusual symptoms.

Dr Bona, sharing his personal experience of undergoing regular medical checks, including prostate examinations, encouraged people to take their health seriously.

He commended Dr Kafui Ayodeji and Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai for their longstanding contribution to breast cancer awareness and called for intensified public education on the diseases.

The event saw staff screening for breast cancer, prostate cancer, stress massage, blood pressure checks, as well as glucose.