The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has initiated the Africa Breast Cancer Screening (ABCS) study; a groundbreaking research project aimed at improving early breast cancer detection and reducing mortality among African women. The ABCS study focuses on the link between metabolic syndrome, the gut microbiome, and breast cancer risk, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
It also seeks to create a long-term participant group for breast cancer screening and monitoring. Speaking at the inception meeting, the study’s Principal Investigator, Professor Reginald Adjetey Annan, emphasized its importance, stating, “We are recruiting women aged 18 and above to screen for breast cancer, identify risk factors, and enable early treatment.
This initiative is not about stigma but about survival and prevention.” Chairperson of the ABCS Advisory Board, Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, called for collective effort to ensure the study’s success.
The project will be conducted at key healthcare facilities, including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Peace and Love Hospital, and other major breast cancer centers nationwide. It is a collaborative effort involving academic institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and international partners.