BackgroundData on cancers is a challenge in most developing countries. Population-based cancer registries are also not common in developing countries despite the usefulness of such registries in informing cancer prevention and control programmes. The availability of population-based data on cancers in Africa varies across different countries. In Ghana, data and research on cancer have focussed on specific cancers and have been hospital-based with no reference population. The Kumasi Cancer Registry was established as the first population-based cancer registry in Ghana in 2012 to provide information on cancer cases seen in the city of Kumasi.MethodsThis paper reviews data from the Kumasi Cancer Registry for the year 2012. The reference geographic area for the registry is the city of Kumasi as designated by the 2010 Ghana Population and Housing Census. Data was from all clinical departments of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Pathology Laboratory Results, Death Certificates and the Kumasi South Regional Hospital. Data was abstracted and entered into Canreg 5 database. Analysis was conducted using Canreg 5, Microsoft Excel and Epi Info Version 7.1.2.0.ResultsThe majority of cancers were recorded among females accounting for 69.6% of all cases. The mean age at diagnosis for all cases was 51.6 years. Among males, the mean age at diagnosis was 48.4 compared with 53.0 years for females. The commonest cancers among males were cancers of the Liver (21.1%), Prostate (13.2%), Lung (5.3%) and Stomach (5.3%). Among females, the commonest cancers were cancers of the Breast (33.9%), Cervix (29.4%), Ovary (11.3%) and Endometrium (4.5%). Histology of the primary tumour was the basis of diagnosis in 74% of cases with clinical and other investigations accounting for 17% and 9% respectively. The estimated cancer incidence Age Adjusted Standardised Rate for males was 10.9/100,000 and 22.4/100, 000 for females.ConclusionThis first attempt at population-based cancer registration in Ghana indicates that such registries are feasible in resource limited settings as ours. Strengthening Public Health Surveillance and establishing more Population-based Cancer Registries will help improve data quality and national efforts at cancer prevention and control in Ghana.

BackgroundData from population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) are a useful resource for estimating the incidence of cancers. PBCR data is useful in the planning and implementation of cancer prevention and control strategies. Ghana’s plan for control of non-communicable diseases recognises the need for good quality data to facilitate the attainment of set goals.MethodsWe reviewed data from the Kumasi Cancer Registry for the year 2015. Data collected included clinical and demographic information, laboratory reports and source of case information. Data was entered into the Canreg-5 software. Data was initially analysed using Canreg-5 to estimate the incidence and age standardised rates (ASR) for various tumours. Data was also exported to Microsoft Excel for further analysis using Epi Info version 7.1.4. Microsoft Excel was used to generate charts and graphs. Aggregated data for the years 2013 and 2014 were also analysed for trends in cancer incidence and ASR.ResultsA total of 736 cancer cases were recorded among the residents of Kumasi for the year 2015. Females accounted for 62.4% of all cases. The overall incidence of cancer in Kumasi for 2015 was 46.1 per 100,000. The mean age of all cases was 51.3 years (with a range of 1 to 99 years). The incidence among female residents was estimated at 54.1 per 100,000 compared with 37.1 per 100,000 in males. Among females, breast and cervical cancers recorded the highest incidences of 16.1 per 100,000 and 13.7 per 100,000 respectively. Among males, prostate cancer had the highest incidence of 10.5 per 100,000. Breast, cervical and liver cancers were the commonest in both sexes accounting for 19.7, 14.7 and 11.4% of cases respectively.ConclusionThere has been significant improvement in data quality and coverage since the inception of our PBCR in 2012. PBCRs are feasible; therefore there is the need for more such registries to improve data on cancers in Ghana. Consistent with other evidence, we found breast cancer as the commonest female cancer in Ghana.

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Population-based cancer registration is not common practice in developing countries. Ghana's first PBCR, the Kumasi Cancer Registry was established in 2012. We review data from the registry from 2012 to 2014. Females accounted for the majority (64.2%) of the 1,078 cases of cancer were recorded. Breast (35.1%), Cervix (23.7%), Ovary (7.9%), Liver (3.8%) and Endometrium (3.2%) were the top five cancers among females. Among males, the commonest cancers were Liver (21.8%), Prostate (17.9%), Stomach (4.1%), Lung (3.4%) and Bone marrow (2.9%). Histology was the basis of diagnosis for 58.7%. There is the need to establish more such registries in Ghana.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Ghana and most patients report with advanced disease. Patients face many challenges in trying to access health care and support; these are particularly relevant in the case of metastatic diseases. A structured program would provide a means of rapid referral for definitive diagnosis, treatment and palliative care, where necessary. Aim: To establish community-based structured patient network, navigation and breast health awareness programs that will reduce delays in accessing care, improve the quality of end-of-life care among patients with metastatic breast cancer. Strategy: We established a community-based patient network program comprising 15 community-based patient navigators in the Kumasi metropolis and a social media networking and navigation platform made up of a team of experts and community navigators, breast cancer survivors and patients with advanced breast cancer to share experiences and express/address concerns. We assessed the breast cancer database of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to establish the number, location and density of patients. Community navigator's established direct in-person contacts with the patients to offer support explain and enroll them into the social media network and navigation platform. The project team carried out various awareness campaigns including talks to organized groups, house-to-house and media campaigns. Program/Policy process: We engaged with the Ghana Health Service, local government authorities as well as traditional and community leadership in the design and implementation of the program, to encourage community ownership from the onset. These key stakeholders were also pivotal in organizing durbars, talks to organized groups and community meetings to reach out to the people. Recruitment of volunteers within the communities will ensure that patient navigation has the best chance to continue within these communities beyond the grant period. The project coordinator and her team were available for consultation and also paid periodic visits to the communities. Outcomes: A structured program to enhance referral and access to care; a community-based patient navigation system to recruit and provide support to patients with advanced breast cancer; a social media platform to provide guide and immediate support to patients with metastatic breast cancer; and improved awareness of breast cancer and its prevention in the communities. Conclusions: The program improved the health care system in the communities and also expands outreach to persons living with metastatic breast cancer to provide support and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. It also encourages patients to visit hospitals for treatment through ease of access to medical care and informed treatment choices and palliative care.