Perspectives of healthcare providers caring for women living with cervical cancer in a tertiary facility in Ghana

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant public health issue in Ghana, with one of the highest incidence rates of cancer among women. It is the second most common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related death among Ghanaian women of reproductive age, with an estimated 3072 new cases and 1815 deaths reported annually. Despite this condition being preventable and treatable through HPV vaccination, screening, and timely care, access to these interventions continues to be limited. Moreover, caring for patients with CC comes with unique challenges. This study explores healthcare providers’ experiences in delivering care to women with CC. A descriptive qualitative design was employed at a tertiary health facility in Ghana. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 diverse healthcare providers, including oncologists (n = 2), registered and oncology nurses (n = 8), oncologist pharmacist (n = 1), and allied health professionals (n = 3), using a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analysed using abductive thematic analysis. Participants had a median age of 34 years and a work experience range of one to eight years. Most were nurses (n = 8). Providers reported varied perceptions of patients, noting their resilience and delayed presentation. Major challenges included patient misconceptions, financial constraints, staff shortages, and inadequate equipment. Coping strategies included public education, financial advocacy, and team-based care approaches. Providers face significant emotional and professional demands in CC care, prompting the need for adaptive coping strategies. The study recommends expanding treatment centres nationwide, introducing mobile clinics, enhancing specialised training, increasing National Health Insurance support for CC, and instituting mandatory mental health services for healthcare providers caring for CC patient through the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health(MOH).