Breast Cancer: Understanding some factors contributing to increased fatalities among African women

GhanaWeb Feature by Joycelyn Kyei-Baffuor

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women, both in the developed and less developed world.

Data from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation points to the fact that while breast cancer incidence rates among Africans and White women are close, mortality rates are markedly different, with Black women having a 40 percent higher death rate from breast cancer.

Among women under 50, the disparity is even greater: while young women have a higher incidence of aggressive cancers, young African women have double the mortality rate of young White women.

Although advances in early detection and treatment have dramatically reduced breast cancer’s ability to take lives overall, it is clear that these breakthroughs haven’t benefitted all groups equally — and this disparity has remained unchanged for more than a decade.

Late Detection

One of the primary reasons contributing to the increasing mortality rate among African women is late detection.

At least 8,000 breast cancer patients in Ghana lost their lives for reporting to the hospital late between 2021 and 2024, according to figures from Breast Care International.

“Since 2020, breast cancer has continuously claimed at least 2,300 lives annually in Ghana out of the 5,000 diagnosed, even in the wake of intensified awareness creation of the disease. Though curable, many patients continue to succumb to breast cancer due to delay in seeking treatment. This is unacceptable,” President of Breast Care International, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, stated at the recent 'Walk for Cure Event' in Kumasi.

Preference for spiritual healing over orthodox medicine

Another factor contributing to the increasing mortality rate among Africans is the preference for spiritual healing over orthodox healing.

Instead of seeking treatment at the hospital, some women rely on their spiritual leaders for divine intervention.

According to Medical Director at the Bethel Methodist Medical Centre, Dr. Augustine Benedict Ackon, this situation has led many women to become victims of spiritual manipulation, resulting in late treatment of diseases and the resultant fatalities.

“Though studies had shown that spirituality, religion, and prayer were very important to the quality of life of some people who had been diagnosed with cancer, research had not shown that spirituality and prayer could cure cancer, even though they may be a helpful addition to conventional medical care. Even if you believe there is a spiritual attachment to the disease, you should still seek medical attention while you pray for divine intervention,” he said.

Reliance on herbal concoctions or medications

The belief in traditional medicine remedies also plays a role in the high mortality rates of the disease among African women.

Many prefer using these concoctions, trusting they will cure the disease, rather than opting for conventional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

While certain herbs may have beneficial properties, medical experts advise against relying solely on these remedies, as this may lead to worse outcomes.

According to Professor Clegg-Lamptey, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, patients who refused orthodox treatment and went their own way always returned with far worse conditions than they left the hospitals with and often lost their lives.

He emphasised that although he is not against the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of cancers, especially when they are used as complementary drugs, he would not recommend its sole use because they are not very effective.

“Well, we actually do not mind too much if they are used as complementary [drugs], especially those that are well tested, but we have had too many cases of people who decided to use herbal medicine and came back when it was too late. We have had just too many counts. They always come back with bad news. Even when they think it is improving, the lumps are getting smaller, after a few months [she came back], the lumps have spread all over. So, we certainly do not recommend it," he stated.

The combination of late detection, a preference for spiritual healing, and reliance on herbal remedies significantly contributes to the increasing breast cancer mortality rates among African women.

But this is not all, as this list may be inexhaustible.

JKB/AE