To update colorectal cancer (CRC) survival estimates and identify key prognostic factors in the Ghanaian context, highlighting the significance of these findings for local healthcare policies.
Key Findings:
Approximately 50% of CRC patients do not survive beyond 5 years post-diagnosis, underscoring the need for urgent public health interventions.
In Ghana, the 5-year survival rate for CRC is only 16%, with drastic decreases from 90% in stage I to 0% in stage IV, indicating a critical gap in early detection.
Late-stage diagnosis is prevalent due to limited awareness and socioeconomic barriers, necessitating targeted awareness campaigns.
Interpretation:
The findings highlight significant disparities in CRC survival rates in Ghana compared to high-income countries, emphasizing the need for improved screening and early detection strategies, along with specific recommendations for healthcare policy changes.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to biases in data collection; future studies should consider prospective designs.
Limited generalizability due to the single-center study design; multi-center studies could provide broader insights.
Conclusion:
Improving CRC management and patient outcomes in Ghana requires enhanced screening, early diagnosis, and treatment accessibility, with an urgent call to action for healthcare stakeholders.
by Tonnies Abeku Buckman, Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, Joseph Yorke, Jonathan Laryea, Bolni Marius Nagalo, Michael Nyantakyi, Emmanuella Nsenbah Batu, Ebenezer Senu, Ernest Osei-Bonsu, Daniel Sam, Emelia Osei Boakye, Francis Acheampong, Francis Agyemang-Yeboah, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Acheampong
