Accra: Professor Benedict Calys-Tagoe, Head of the Department of Community Health at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), has highlighted the challenges facing cancer care in Ghana due to the limited availability of cancer registries.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Calys-Tagoe stated that the absence of well-functioning cancer registries in the country has resulted in unreliable national data. Currently, Ghana only has two recognized cancer registries: the Kumasi Cancer Registry and the Accra Cancer Registry. Speaking at an inaugural lecture organized by the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra, he emphasized the importance of cancer registries as foundational tools for rational cancer care.
Prof Calys-Tagoe explained that these registries are crucial for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating cancer-related data. They provide valuable insights into cancer trends, patient demographics, and the effectiveness of treatment protocols. By maintaining comprehensive records, cancer registries significantly contribute to public health initiatives, research advancement, and the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving patient care.
In his lecture titled "Taming the Crab: Insights into Cancer Care in Ghana," Prof Calys-Tagoe provided a situational analysis of cervical cancer in the country. He noted the lack of reliable data on the proportion of women with cervical cancer who have received treatment, despite the World Health Organisation's target of 90 percent. Cervical cancer remains the second most prevalent cancer in females in Ghana, with high mortality rates.
Prof Calys-Tagoe expressed concern over the stagnation of efforts to address this issue, stating that while it appears in the national budget for non-communicable diseases annually, no significant progress has been made. Cancer continues to be a major public health concern in Ghana, with approximately 27,385 new cases and 17,944 deaths recorded each year, according to health authorities. The most common cancers include breast and cervical cancer in females, prostate and liver cancer in males, and retinoblastomas and lymphomas in children.
Prof Calys-Tagoe's research focuses on breast and cervical cancers and the development of cancer registries in resource-limited settings. His work aims to improve early detection, rational control, treatment access, and public awareness of cancers. He advocates for the establishment of population-based cancer registries with clearly defined sustainable funding, the decentralization of cancer screening and treatment services, and the improvement and expansion of funding sources for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure realistic tariffs for service providers.
In his recommendations, Prof Calys-Tagoe noted that about a third of common cancers reported in Ghana are preventable through vaccinations, lifestyle modifications, and reducing exposure to risk factors. Another third are potentially curable if detected early through screening and prompt treatment. The remaining third would require palliative care, focusing on symptom control, pain relief, psychosocial and spiritual support, and overall improvement in the quality of life.