Ghana Cancer Ward Assignment

1 Breast Cancer in Ghana Due February 28, 2025 Please watch the documentary entitled “Africa Investigates - Ghana: Cancer Ward” about the high breast cancer mortality rate in Ghana (LINK). When watching the video, please provide a response to the following discussion questions and submit the document on OWL by Friday, February 28, 11:55 PM. Marks count towards Participation Grade. a. Describe how breast cancer in Ghana is an example of the epidemiologic transition. Ghana is in shift from infectious disease dominance (malaria, tuberculosis) to noncommunicable disease (cancer, diabetes). This is because of increased urbanization and change in lifestyle. Longer life expectancy will be one of the factors that leads to the prevalence of agerelated, non-communicable disease, such as breast cancer. Additionally, with Ghana’s limited healthcare infrastructure (developing but not yet meeting the “high quality”) resulting in limited early detection, as well as its treatment. The transition from traditional to Western-style modern healthcare and medicine affects disease management . b. Describe some epidemiologic differences in the epidemiology of breast cancer in Ghana relative to North America. There are some epidemiological differences in Breast Cancer in Ghana and North America. The incidence rate is lower in Ghana compared to North America, but rising because of its urbanization and lifestyle change (shifting towards chronic disease). However, the mortality rate is higher in Ghana due its late-stage diagnosis (limited healthcare infrastructure, early screening is challenging). This means that Ghana has limited Mammography, and early detection program compared to North American Healthcare, where advanced treatment option(chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy) are more accessible in North America. c. What are some explanations given for the high mortality rate from breast cancer in Ghana? Late Diagnosis could be the reason of high mortality rate from breast cancer in Ghana, where majority of cases are detected at stage 3 or 4 due to its lack of awareness and screening. Theres also limited access to medical treatment, with only few specialized cancer treatment are available with them being expensive options for the public. The fear of mastectomy, and relying on herbal remedies are also a major factor that inhibits individuals from taking early screening d. What are some steps that public health practitioners could take to address breast cancer in Ghana? 2 For Ghana to better develop their health care system, they must start awareness campaigns that would educate the public on risk factor, symptoms of breast cancer. This would contribute to early detection of breast cancer in Ghana. However, this won’t work only with the awareness campaign, but also partner up with improving screening programs, by introducing publicly affordable, or free mammography. With that implementary policies must be applied to reduce treatment cost and to improove coverage done by insurance companies.