Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Sees 700 Cancer Cases Annually
Accra, Ghana – 29 July, 2025 – The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra has reported an average of 700 cancer cases annually since 2005, contributing to Africa's staggering 24,000 new cases each year. Dr. Hannah Naa Gogwe Ayettey, Consultant Oncologist at KBTH, revealed these figures during a cancer research symposium aimed at understanding Africa's unique cancer characteristics to improve treatment outcomes.
The symposium, themed "Catalysing Basic and Translational Cancer in Africa: Advancing Progress and Capacity Building," brought together experts to discuss prevalent cancers such as breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, and oesophageal cancers. Dr. Ayettey emphasized the need for collaborative research and capacity building to tackle the growing cancer burden, citing socio-economic barriers that hinder timely access to care.
Dr. Miriam Mutebe, President of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, noting that many cancer patients are treatable and curable if diagnosed early. Breast cancer, the most common cancer among young women in West Africa, has a survival rate of up to 90% with early detection.
The symposium's findings underscore the urgent need for increased Investment in research, diagnostics, and patient support systems to combat the growing cancer burden.
Source:GNA.com
