Journal article
Reclassifying Menopausal Breast Cancer and Assessing Non-Genetic Risk Factors in Ghanaian Women: Insights from a Cohort Study
Cancers, Vol.17(21), 3468
10/29/2025
DOI: 10.3390/cancers17213468
PMCID: PMC12608925
PMID: 41228261
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer incidence is increasing in younger Ghanaian women. However, few epidemiological studies have evaluated the modifiable risk factors in this population. Additionally, these studies have classified breast cancer in Ghanaian women based on the global menopausal case classification. This study reclassified premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer in a Ghanaian cohort, assessing the risk factors using the observed menopausal age in Ghanaian women of 48 years, rather than the global standard of 50 years. Methods: Women diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled for surgery from December 2018 to March 2023 were recruited across four hospitals in Ghana for the Ghana Breast Cancer Omics Project (BCOPGh), and data were collected using a questionnaire. Cross-tabulation and linear regression were used to evaluate the relationships between categorical variables and age at diagnosis. Results: Out of a total of 262 women recruited, 34.4% were classified as having premenopausal breast cancer, while early-onset breast cancer (EOBC) accounted for 14.9% of all cases. The molecular subtypes were predominantly hormone receptor (HR)-positive (61%) while triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounted for 16%. The tumours were predominantly at stage II (62%) and grade 2 (51%), with invasive carcinoma NST (56%) being the most common subtype. Within this cohort, nulliparity increased the odds of EOBC by 13.5-fold, while having a first birth after the age of 23 doubled the odds of premenopausal breast cancer. Reproductive factors (menarche and menopause) and lifestyle (alcohol intake, smoking, contraceptive use, and breastfeeding duration) were not associated with premenopausal breast cancer in this cohort. About 13% of participants reported a family history of breast cancer, and 79% had prior knowledge of the disease. Conclusion: This study supports previous reports of the relatively higher incidence of aggressive disease in young Ghanaian women and the protective effect of early age at first birth. It further underscores the need to investigate its genetic underpinnings, whilst highlighting the importance of public education on self-examination techniques to reduce advanced disease presentation in Ghanaian women.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reclassifying Menopausal Breast Cancer and Assessing Non-Genetic Risk Factors in Ghanaian Women: Insights from a Cohort Study
- Creators
- Claudia Adzo Anyigba - University of GhanaVictor Ayinbora Azusiyine - University of GhanaCourage Siame - University of GhanaAniefiok John Udoakang - Olusegun Agagu University of Science and TechnologyEmmanuel Lante Lamptey - University of GhanaChristiana Dufie Asamoah - University of GhanaHelena Frempong - University of GhanaGordon Akanzuwine Awandare - University of GhanaJosephine Nsaful - Korle Bu Teaching HospitalJoe Nat Clegg-LampteyFlorence Dedey - Korle Bu Teaching HospitalLawrence Edusei - Korle Bu Teaching HospitalRalph ArmahAlfred TwumasiRonald J. Weigel - University of Iowa, Carver College of MedicineLily Paemka - University of Ghana
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancers, Vol.17(21), 3468
- DOI
- 10.3390/cancers17213468
- PMID
- 41228261
- PMCID
- PMC12608925
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancers (Basel)
- ISSN
- 2072-6694
- eISSN
- 2072-6694
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Grant note
- Carnegie Corporation of New YorkDELTAS African Initiative: DEL-22-014: Awandare UNESCOScience for Africa FoundationInternational Development Research Centre, Canada, for the Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA-Africa) projectWorld Bank African Centres of Excellence: WACCBIP+NCDs: Awandare
This research was supported by funds from the World Bank African Centres of Excellence, grant number (WACCBIP+NCDs: Awandare), and a DELTAS African Initiative, grant number (DEL-22-014: Awandare). C.A.A. was supported by a WACCBIP-World Bank ACE Masters/PhD fellowship (WACCBIP+NCDs: Awandare). L.P. received support from the Science for Africa Foundation for the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa) programme [DEL-22-014] through the Wellcome and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as UNESCO and the International Development Research Centre, Canada, for the Building a New Generation of Academics in Africa (BANGA-Africa) project, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The views expressed herein do not represent those of UNESCO-TWAS, OWSD, IDRC, or its Board of Governors. The APC was funded by the DELTAS African grant (DEL-22-014).
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/29/2025
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Anatomy and Cell Biology; Surgery; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9985024256002771
Metrics
13 Record Views