Minister Lartey and IMaH Launch 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Nationwide Screening Drives

Ghana has officially commenced the 2026 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with high-profile launches in Ho and Tema emphasizing early detection as the primary defense against the disease. Speaking at the national launch in the Volta Regional capital, Ho, the Minister for Health, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, highlighted the gravity of the health challenge, noting that the country records thousands of new cases annually. Under the national theme, "Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters," the campaign aims to humanize the struggle against cancer while expanding clinical reach to underserved populations. The Vice President has further called for a significant expansion of screening access across all sixteen regions to ensure that geographical location does not determine a patient's survival.

Supporting the national effort, the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) in Tema launched its own "Pink October" campaign with the theme "Early Action, Better Outcomes." IMaH CEO Dr. Vitus Victor Anaab-Bisi provided sobering statistics to underscore the urgency of the initiative, citing that Ghana recorded approximately 5,487 new breast cancer cases and 2,695 deaths in 2024 alone. To combat these figures, IMaH announced a month-long program of free breast cancer screenings, educational outreach, and significant discounts on mammograms to encourage women to prioritize their health.

A significant focus of this year's campaign is the involvement of men, both as support systems for women and as potential patients themselves. Minister Lartey and leaders at IMaH emphasized that men play a crucial role in encouraging their partners and relatives to seek medical care early. Furthermore, medical experts pointed out that men are not immune to the disease and should remain vigilant about their own breast health. The Volta Regional Minister and other local leaders have committed to leveraging their influence to ensure that the message of early detection reaches every household in their jurisdictions.

Clinical experts and survivors are also adding their voices to the call for proactive health management. Dr. Juanita Brehua-Nkansah, an oncology specialist, urged women—particularly those aged 40 and above—to undergo regular professional screenings and to monitor for any physical changes, even in the absence of pain. This sentiment was echoed by breast cancer survivor Bridget Emefa Van-Johnson, who shared her journey to illustrate that a diagnosis is not a death sentence if caught early. The collective goal of the October activities is to foster a culture of regular check-ups and to remove the stigma often associated with the disease, ultimately reducing the high mortality rates currently seen in Ghana.