The African Cancer Organisation (ACO) has appealed for partnerships to expand breast cancer education and promote early detection across communities nationwide.
The appeal forms part of ACO’s National Breast Cancer Film Screening and Awareness Campaign, which seeks to reach all 16 regions through public education, film screenings and community engagement.
Mr Paul Opoku Agyemang, President of ACO, made the call in a press release issued in Accra.
The campaign, being rolled out during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond, aims to address late diagnosis, misinformation and barriers to timely breast cancer care.
Mr Agyemang said partnerships with corporate organisations, healthcare institutions, development agencies and civil society groups were critical to extending awareness activities and improving early diagnosis.
He described the initiative as a national effort requiring support from individuals, communities, health professionals, institutions and development partners.
“Every woman deserves the opportunity to understand her breast health and access care at the earliest possible stage,” he said.
Mr Agyemang said stakeholders could support the campaign through financial sponsorship, technical expertise, media coverage, community mobilisation, educational materials, screening services, logistics and advocacy.
The campaign will feature screenings of Conquering Breast Cancer, an educational documentary produced by Moonshine Agency, ACO’s film partner.
The documentary presents the experiences of women living with metastatic breast cancer alongside perspectives from clinicians, researchers and advocates, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and equitable access to treatment.
ACO said the screenings would provide opportunities for communities to access breast health information, address stigma and encourage women to seek medical attention when they detected unusual breast changes.
The organisation noted that breast cancer remained the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Ghana and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
It said many cases were detected at advanced stages, making treatment more difficult, costly and less effective.
ACO said public education, breast self-awareness, timely clinical examinations, improved screening services and prompt access to treatment were essential to reducing breast cancer deaths.
Thousands of women, students, families, community leaders and health workers are expected to participate in the nationwide campaign.
The ACO is a public health non-governmental organisation that promotes cancer prevention, early detection, patient education and community health initiatives across Africa.