Health experts have issued a strong caution to women against relying on unregulated breast enlargement products and herbal remedies to address breast-related concerns, warning that some may contain harmful substances or delay the diagnosis of serious conditions, potentially with fatal consequences.
The warning was issued during a breast cancer awareness programme organised by the Ministry of Roads and Highways in Accra, as Ghana joins global efforts to mark October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
A midwife at the Ridge Hospital, Abigail Asiamah, said some women delay seeking medical attention when they notice changes in their breasts because they turn to herbal preparations or other unverified treatments. She warned that such practices could make it more difficult for health professionals to diagnose and treat conditions at an early stage.
“To our women who are hiding in pain and visiting the herbalist, there is hope. Walk to any health facility and get treatment early,” she said.
Madam Asiamah also raised concerns about products marketed as breast enlargement solutions, cautioning that some may contain chemicals or other substances that could have harmful effects on the body.
“The medications we take to enhance our boobs may contain harmful chemicals. Let’s use the right channel to get things done rather than using medications that are not prescribed by the doctor,” she said.
A Worsening Public Health Crisis
The caution comes as Ghana grapples with a breast cancer crisis of alarming proportions. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, Ghana recorded 5,025 new breast cancer cases in 2022, representing 18.4% of all cancers diagnosed in the country. The disease also accounted for 2,369 deaths, representing 13.2% of all cancer deaths recorded that year.
This figure represents a significant increase from 4,482 cases recorded in 2020, according to studies. In the Ashanti Region alone, 5,024 new breast cancer cases were recorded in 2022, with 2,369 deaths attributed to late-stage diagnosis.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally, accounting for about 25 per cent of all cancer cases. More than 2.4 million women are diagnosed annually, while about 694,000 die from the disease. The disease can occur in women of any age after puberty, although the risk increases with age.
Adding to the urgency, studies reveal that the majority of women with breast cancer in Ghana are under 50, with some cases reported in women as young as 20 years old. This trend is attributed to various factors, including limited awareness, late diagnosis, and inadequate access to healthcare services.
The Dangerous Allure of Unregulated Products
The warning from health experts highlights a growing trend in Ghana where women are turning to unregulated breast enhancement products, often promoted heavily on social media platforms. These products range from imported creams and pills to homemade concoctions mixing traditional ingredients like shea butter and bentonite clay, locally known as “ayilo” or “shile”.
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has repeatedly warned that it has not approved any product for body part enlargement, emphasising that the efficacy of such products has not been scientifically proven and that they may damage internal organs such as kidneys.
In September 2026, the FDA issued a strong warning to companies illegally producing, selling, and advertising body enhancement products, stating that they risk prosecution because of the adverse health implications that these drugs can have on consumers.
Medical professionals have raised specific concerns about ingredients commonly used in these products. Bentonite clay, a key ingredient in many homemade enhancement mixtures, may contain harmful substances such as lead and mercury, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. “Once these metals enter the body, they can interfere with blood production, bone growth and in pregnant women, even affect the unborn baby,” one doctor cautioned.
Natural breast enhancement supplements are unlikely to work and some may have side effects. They can also interact with other medicines and potentially cause serious health problems, particularly for women taking blood-thinning medication.
Late Diagnosis: A Persistent Challenge
The reliance on unverified treatments is compounding what health officials describe as an already dire situation of late-stage diagnosis. Research conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi found that out of 180 patients interviewed, 145 had advanced breast cancer (Stages III and IV). Using traditional medicine was the only significant patient factor associated with late-stage breast cancer after adjusting for confounders.
A systematic review found that 75 per cent of women were diagnosed at late stages (III/IV) in sub-Saharan Africa, with about 70 per cent in Ghana. More recently, a study of women from lower levels of the health system in Ghana observed large gaps in biopsy uptake and treatment access, with 61 per cent of malignant cases diagnosed at stage III/IV.
The median duration of symptoms before presentation among patients was 24 weeks, reflecting significant delays in seeking care.
A Message of Hope Through Early Detection
Health professionals say these figures underscore the importance of paying attention to changes in the breasts and seeking medical assessment promptly. A lump or swelling, changes in the size or shape of the breast, changes around the nipple, and unusual discharge are among symptoms that should not be ignored. Although not every breast change is cancerous, health professionals advise that unusual changes should be assessed by a qualified professional rather than treated based on assumptions.
The Ghana Health Service, the World Health Organization, and development partners are promoting breast cancer awareness, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment under Ghana’s theme, “Early Action, Better Outcomes,” alongside the global theme, “Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters”.
This year’s campaign places particular emphasis on addressing late presentation, strengthening early detection, and improving referral pathways for people who require further assessment and treatment.
Dr Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Deputy Director-General of the GHS, said early detection was critical to achieving better outcomes and urged women and families not to ignore unusual changes in the breast. “Early detection really provides a good outcome for women all over,” she said.
The Cost Barrier
Beyond the danger of unregulated products, the high cost of breast cancer treatment remains a major barrier for many patients. Senior Midwifery Officer Ezzedin Memuna Muntaka of Manhyia District Hospital highlighted that the cost of radiation and chemotherapy is so prohibitive that some patients abandon hospital care altogether.
“The cost of this treatment is very high. It’s very high because some of the people, even when they get the sickness, the cost of treatment even let them avoid taking medication because the radiation, the chemo, they are so costly,” she stated.
She called on the government to consider subsidising breast cancer treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme to remove a primary reason patients abandon hospital care.
The Path Forward
Health experts are urging women to seek medical attention at the first sign of any breast abnormality, rather than turning to unverified treatments that could mask symptoms and delay proper diagnosis. The message is clear: early detection saves lives, and the right channel for treatment is through qualified healthcare professionals.
As Ghana observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, health authorities and their partners are expected to intensify public education on breast cancer, encourage early presentation, and strengthen access to quality care across the country.
For women who may be hiding in pain or turning to unverified remedies, the message from health experts is one of hope and urgency: walk to any health facility and get treatment early. The difference between life and death may depend on it.
