Prostate Cancer Research in Ghana: A Scoping Review of Research Direction and Priorities

Background: In Ghana, prostate cancer (PCa) was the second most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in 2022, after liver cancer. Despite increasing research interest, evidence needed to guide PCa research priorities remains fragmented. This scoping review aimed to highlight research priorities and direction on PCa in Ghana by identifying thematic areas, gaps and potential areas for future research. Methods: The scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist (PRISMA-ScR). A systematic search for relevant articles was conducted on four prominent databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Results: Data from eligible studies (n = 47) were synthesized across 15 thematic domains, including awareness, diagnosis and treatment approaches, genetics, dietary and metabolic factors, and pharmacological interventions. PCa awareness was high in some populations, but knowledge of specific disease features was variable, while screening uptake remained low. PSA was the most frequently assessed diagnostic marker, commonly evaluated alongside DRE and biopsy. Genomic studies identified potentially relevant genetic and molecular variants, although the evidence remains limited and requires further validation. Treatment patterns varied by disease stage and were also constrained by access- and resource-related factors. Epidemiological estimates differed by study design and population. Conclusions: PCa research in Ghana is broad but uneven, with significant gaps in early detection, population-level data, genomic validation and equitable access to care. Improving timely diagnosis and access to diagnostic and treatment services is important, while population-wide screening requires further evaluation of benefits, harms, cost-effectiveness, and health system capacity.