The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has reported a significant surge in cancer diagnoses over the past year, with prostate and breast cancers showing the most concerning growth.

Dr Fred Adomako Boateng, Regional Health Director, said prostate cancer increased from 1,013 cases in 2024, to 1,193 in 2025 while breast cancer cases rose from 561, to 937 within the same period. 

All other cancers combined except cervical cancer, he said, surged from 16,053 in 2024, to 18,030 in 2025.

While most figures trended upward, cervical cancer dropped significantly, falling from 522 in 2024, to 406 in 2025.

Dr Boateng was addressing the media today as part of World Cancer Day, under the theme: "Closing the Cancer Care Gap; Community Action for Prevention and Early Detection in Ghana."

He called for an urgent need to address the existing disparities in cancer awareness, access to preventive services, and early diagnosis while calling on stakeholders, especially the media to help close the cancer gap.

Dr Boateng encouraged the public to be timely screened to help with early detection to fight the disease from getting out of hand.