Dr Mary Ann Dadzie: Beyond cancer treatment, a mission of hope

A cancer diagnosis can turn a person’s world upside down. Beyond the fear of the unknown lie difficult treatment decisions, the anxiety of loved ones and the uncertainty of what the future holds.

For patients, the journey demands not only medical expertise but also compassion, reassurance and the confidence that they are in capable hands.

It is in this challenging space that Dr Mary Ann Dadzie has built her career. As a Senior Specialist in Oncology and Radiotherapy at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, she works at the intersection of science, patient care and hope, helping patients navigate the complexities of cancer treatment while contributing to efforts to improve cancer care in Ghana.

Her work however does not end when a treatment session is over. Through research, medical education, professional leadership and the development of treatment guidelines, Dr Dadzie is helping to strengthen the systems that support cancer patients and the professionals who care for them.

Born on October 13, 1980, Dr Dadzie’s journey into medicine began with a strong academic foundation. She attended St Rose’s Secondary School from 1996 to 1998, before proceeding to the University of Ghana, Legon.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Sciences in October 2004 and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree in March 2008, laying the foundation for a career that would eventually place her at the forefront of cancer management, research and medical education.

Her early professional years exposed her to different aspects of medicine. She undertook her housemanship at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from May 2008 to April 2009 before moving to Ridge Regional Hospital as a senior house officer.

“There, I gained experience in patient assessment and management across medical and obstetrics and gynaecology departments, while supervising junior house officers.”

Between January 2011 and September 2012, she worked as a medical officer at the Fever’s Unit of Korle Bu, assisting with the management of HIV and infectious diseases and their associated emergencies. She also participated in teaching and supervising house officers.

These experiences provided a broad clinical foundation before she embarked on specialist training in radiation oncology at Korle Bu in September 2012.

Her commitment to professional development saw her pass Part I of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons’ membership examinations in Radiation Oncology in March 2014, followed by Part II in September 2016. She became a specialist radiation oncologist in

September 2016 and was promoted to senior specialist in December 2022.

Cancer treatment requires more than prescribing medication or administering radiation. It involves careful assessment, treatment planning, monitoring and the management of side effects, alongside clear communication with patients and their families.

These responsibilities form a central part of Dr Dadzie’s work. She plans radiation treatment, prescribes chemotherapy where indicated, manages treatment-related complications and counsels patients about their conditions and care.

She also participates in weekly multidisciplinary tumour board meetings, where specialists discuss cases involving breast, head and neck, gynaecological, gastrointestinal and paediatric cancers.

Such collaboration helps bring different areas of expertise together when determining appropriate treatment approaches.

Her leadership responsibilities have grown over the years. Since November 2022, she has led the paediatric radiotherapy clinic at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine. In April 2025, she became team lead of the gynaecological oncology clinic.

In these roles, she coordinates teams comprising oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists and medical physicists involved in treating children and patients with gynaecological cancers.

Her involvement in childhood cancer care also extends to policy development. She is a member of the Paediatric Cancer Treatment Guideline Working Group, which works on developing treatment guidelines for paediatric cancers in Ghana.

For Dr Dadzie, improving cancer care also means generating knowledge that can inform clinical practice and address gaps in healthcare delivery.

Her research and publications cover several areas of oncology, including breast, vulval, lung, cervical and childhood cancers.

Her work has examined cancer patterns in Ghana, diagnostic challenges and treatment approaches in settings where resources may be limited.

In 2017, she co-authored a study reviewing hospital-based data on vulval cancer in Ghana.

Other publications have examined lung cancer characteristics, inequalities in biomarker testing and unusual metastatic patterns of Wilms tumour, a childhood kidney cancer.

In 2024, she contributed to research on expanding access to computed tomography staging and three-dimensional intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer in Ghana.

She also co-authored a case report documenting the successful treatment of optic nerve glioma using definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy in a resource-limited setting.

These contributions reflect the importance of research that considers the realities of local healthcare systems, where access to specialised diagnostic services, treatment technologies and other resources can influence patient outcomes.

In January 2026, she assumed the additional responsibility of research coordinator at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine.

Her duties include coordinating research projects, managing data and records, overseeing logistics and ensuring regulatory compliance.Investing in the next generation

Alongside her clinical and research responsibilities, Dr Dadzie has maintained a strong commitment to medical education.

Since July 2021, she has lectured at the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery, teaching student nurses the basic principles of oncology.

She also teaches and supports the development of junior residents, radiation therapists, medical students and nurses.

Her contribution to professional development extends beyond Ghana. She is a faculty member of the Ghana integRative Approach to Cancer resEarch (GRACE) Training Programme, a collaborative cancer research education initiative involving the Moffitt Cancer Center in the United States.

In July 2024, she became head of the Education Committee of the Society for Neuro-Oncology Sub-Saharan Africa (SNOSSA). Her responsibilities include contributing to the society’s activities and organising monthly educational webinars for members.

In January 2026, she was appointed chief examiner of the Faculty of Oncology and Radiotherapy at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The role involves curriculum development, teaching, research, administrative policy and the oversight of examinations.

She is also a member of the African Cancer Coalition, which contributes to the review of resource-stratified treatment guidelines for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Dr Dadzie’s professional journey has earned her several awards in recognition of her academic performance and contributions to medicine.

In 2003, she received the University of Ghana’s Legon Hall Academic Excellence Award.

In 2007, she received the Nana Wereku Ampem II Prize for Best Student in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Lucy Peprah Tawiah Prize for Best Female Student in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Her professional achievements include the Director’s Special Award for Best Worker at the National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine in December 2016, the Chicago Sister Cities Medical Initiative Award in 2017, presented by the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation of Northwestern University in the United States, and the International Society of Paediatric Oncology’s Young Investigator Award in 2020.

From caring for patients to leading specialist clinics, contributing to research and training healthcare professionals, Dr Dadzie’s work spans several critical areas of cancer care.