The 2026 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Pink October 2026) was launched in Ho on Thursday with a renewed call on men to play active and committed roles in tackling the disease in women.
“Although breast cancer predominantly affects women, the responsibility for addressing it cannot rest with women alone.
“Men have an important role in encouraging loved ones to seek care, providing emotional and practical support as well as sharing caregiving responsibilities,” said the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey.
The breast cancer awareness campaign is on the theme: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters. United for Breast Cancer Free Ghana – Early Detection, Early Action, Better Outcomes.
The launch was attended by many traditional rulers, heads of departments and health facilities, cancer survivors, students and the general public.
Dr Lartey said that, as of 2025, available statistics indicated that Ghana recorded 5,000 new cases of breast cancer annually, resulting in 2,000 deaths.
Those figures, she said, were a reminder that breast cancer remained a significant public health concern.
“Our responsibility must, therefore, continue to emphasise awareness, early detection, timely diagnosis and access to appropriate care,” she added.
The sector minister pointed out that the diagnosis of breast cancer could have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only physical health, but also emotional well-being, family relationships, livelihoods and participation in community life.
Further, families could also face additional caregiving responsibilities, financial pressure, and significant adjustments to their daily lives, she said.
She said, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection had taken the lead in organising this year’s national campaign with the support of the Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Regional Minister
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, earlier said breast cancer was a serious human issue with major public concerns.
So, the appropriate response must be the promotion of early detection for better outcomes, he maintained.
He gave an assurance that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) would support the campaign against breast cancer with great zeal and enthusiasm to save lives.
Vice–President
In a speech read on her behalf, the Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, urged the health authorities to extend breast cancer screening to every conceivable part of the country.
The acting Volta Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Hectoria Awekeya, said the treatment of advanced breast cancer might be prolonged and expensive, with poorer survival outcomes.
