African Breast Cancer - Disparities in Outcomes - Plus (ABC-DO Plus): Ghana mentoring supplement

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Project Summary ABC-DO Ghana - Mentored Research on Breast Cancer in Ghana, West Africa The present funding opportunity relates to a supplement to support mentored career development of early-stage investigators from low- and middle-income countries in cancer research. In this application, which is linked to an existing R01-funded African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes (ABC-DO) study, we propose that Dr Clement Narh undertakes a study of attitudes and barriers to commencing breast cancer treatment among women diagnosed in rural and district-level settings in Ghana. Dr Narh is a young Ghanaian epidemiologist-statistician with experience in non-communicable diseases (NCD) and cancer. He is based at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta region of Ghana. His local study leadership, supported by an international team, would be an excellent investment for his personal career development and for Ghanaian and West African cancer research for decades to come. He is at a perfect career stage, having a strong academic background (PhD in NCDs) but not having yet led his own research project, thus he would gain skills in study management, independence, decision making, fieldwork organisation, research contractual agreements, networking and grant applications, which will complement his existing writing and analytical skills. Dr Narh, Ghanaian oncologists, public health scientists and NCD government planners, and the ABC- DO PIs have together developed the current proposal which will examine attitudes and barriers to commencing breast cancer treatment among women diagnosed in regional settings. The focus is on women not residing near major cities where oncology facilities are based, but in regional/district settings across the Volta region. Over 7 months, 100 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 6 district hospitals selected across the length of the Volta region, a low income non-capital regional setting, will be interviewed and followed to monitor treatment initiation. Findings will support strategies to reduce breast cancer disparities in district settings in West Africa, whilst Dr Narh will gain invaluable experience in independently leading this research, backed by mentored support. ABC-DO PIs will gain knowledge of a new country, Ghana, and experience of the cancer journey of women who may not reach tertiary hospitals where most current breast cancer treatment studies are based. A unique collaboration of invaluable local experience, know-how and an essential presence on the ground, with epidemiologic study design advice and mentoring guarantees a scientifically robust study and a successful productive collaboration.