The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma North, Ewurabena Aubin, has called for stronger investment in cancer treatment and improved access to care as Ghana joins the rest of the world to mark World Cancer Day.

Speaking in Parliament, the lawmaker drew attention to the growing burden of cancer on Ghanaian families, noting that the disease continues to claim lives largely due to late diagnosis and the high cost of treatment.

According to her, Ghana records more than 24,000 new cancer cases every year, with breast, cervical, lung, liver and colorectal cancers being the most prevalent. She expressed concern that many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited, expensive and less effective.

Madam Aubin stressed that cancer does not only threaten lives but also places severe financial strain on households and increases pressure on the country’s already stretched health system. She pointed out that while screening services exist in some parts of the country, affordability, limited coverage, cultural beliefs, fear and misinformation continue to discourage early detection.

The Ablekuma North MP, however, acknowledged recent progress made by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, including the expansion of breast and cervical cancer screening programmes and the establishment of national cancer treatment centres at Korle Bu and Tamale Teaching Hospitals.

Despite these efforts, she identified financing as the biggest challenge, noting that the cost of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery remains beyond the reach of many Ghanaians. She added that limited coverage under the National Health Insurance Scheme has, in many cases, turned cancer into a death sentence for patients who cannot afford treatment.

She therefore urged government and stakeholders to prioritise funding for cancer care as part of efforts to reduce preventable deaths and improve quality of life for patients.