Patterns and temporal trends in childhood cancer incidence in northern Ghana: evidence from medical records, 2016 to 2023
Our findings indicate a high burden of childhood cancers in Northern Ghana, with a greater proportion of cases occurring among male children. The observed increase in the number of childhood cancer admissions to the oncology unit may reflect improved case detection, greater awareness among caregivers, and increased referrals to specialized care, rather than a definitive rise in cancer incidence. These findings highlight the urgent need for population-based cancer registries and further research to accurately track and understand childhood cancer trends in the region.
Authors
- Shamsudeen Mohammed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3771-8425)
- Abubakari Wuni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9329-8368)
- Waliu Jawula Salisu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9725-4936)
- I. Mohammed (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5220-8995)
- Awudu Abdulai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4618-2789)
- Brenda Abena Nyarko (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0603-137X)
- Mudasir Mohammed Ibrahim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9049-8222)
- Issahaku Awal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4470-4195)
- Peter Sambian Tonlaar
Institutions
- University of Kentucky (US)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- Nurses' Training College, Ho (GH)
- Tamale Teaching Hospital (GH)
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
- University for Development Studies (GH)
- University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Pediatrics
- Published
- 2025-10-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-06141-2
- Primary Topic
- Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00