Abstract 10: Availability and Access to Hospital-Based Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnostic Services in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Breast Cancer in Ghana is the leading type of cancer and second most common cause of cancer related death. Five-year survival in Ghana has been cited at 40-48% with most cases being stage 3 or 4 at diagnosis. Robust access to early detection and diagnostic services can lead to earlier stages of diagnosis and improved survival. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early detection and diagnostic services available at hospital facilities nationwide in Ghana and to characterize geographic access. Methods: Trained research assistants administered a cross-sectional survey to all hospitals in Ghana from November 2020 to October 2021. Early detection and diagnostic services were characterized as having Basic, Core, or Enhanced services as per in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) framework for resource stratification. Availability of services were defined as available greater than 80% of the time, available less than 80%, or not at all. Results were analyzed for descriptive statistics in STATA. Results: 328 of 346 hospitals completed the survey. Of the 328 hospitals, 2 (1%) met NCCN Basic criteria alone, 11 (3%) of the hospitals met NCCN Core criteria, and none met NCCN Enhanced criteria. When including hospitals who offer services less than 80% of the year for varying circumstances, 3 (1%) met NCCN Basic criteria, 20 (6%) met NCCN Core criteria, and none met NCCN Enhanced criteria. Mammography was offered at 21 (6%) of the hospitals, 17 (5%) of which were available more than 80% of the year. Mapping and population data to estimate the percentage of population within various distances to hospital-based breast cancer early detection and diagnostic services will be done using Ghana 2021 census data in ArcGIS. Conclusion: Hospital based services for breast cancer early detection and diagnosis in Ghana are available but sparse. Many hospitals offer fragmented aspects of care outlined by the NCCN framework, but there are only a limited number of hospitals who offer the full spectrum of services. Understanding of current availability, and geographical distribution of services, provides a framework for potential targeted expansion or identification of alternative healthcare delivery models. Citation Format: Matthew Price, Anne Rositch, Florence Dedey, Mamadou Tounkara, Kirstyn Brownson, Raymond Price, Edward Kofi Sutherland. Availability and Access to Hospital-Based Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnostic Services in Ghana [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Closing the Research-to-Implementation Gap; 2023 Apr 4-6. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 10.