Dr. Akwasi Anyanful is a Molecular and Public Health Biologist and currently with the Medical Biochemistry Department and the Pharmacogenomics and Genomic Medical Group at the School of Medical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC).
Dr. Anyanful’s initial focus was on using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to (i) elucidate bacterial virulence and host response mechanisms and (ii) ascertain the role of small molecule metabolite signaling in diseases. Within the last seven years however, his focus has shifted to breast cancer research and his current research interests are (i) Assessing and understanding the pattern of breast cancer distribution in Ghana and collaborative establishment of a breast cancer resource and research centre, (ii) Molecular characterization of breast cancers in Ghanaian women by elucidation of unique biomarkers present in Ghanaian breast tumors with extension to the sub-region and (iii) devising strategies to diminish the incidence of breast cancer related deaths and improve quality of life for breast cancer patients.
Dr. Anyanful’s minor interests are into (i) how environmental factors and certain occupations affect human health and (ii) comparative assessment of chronological and metabolic age differences in Ghanaians due to our changing life styles.
Together with the Chemical Pathology Department of the UCC School of Medical Sciences, he has been organizing the Cape Coast Breast Cancer Awareness Activities month every October since 2013. Activities include breast cancer education, awareness walks and screening. During this period, over 8000 women have been screened for breast cancer using the latest technological device – Breast-i which an optical device used to detect angiogenesis of non-palpable lumps and possible tumours. Dr. Anyanful is passionate about breast cancer and supports the paradigm shift from “one size fits all” to “individualized treatment” in breast cancer therapy. He is currently, the Organizing Secretary of the Breast Society of Ghana which was incorporated in 2018 for breast cancer advocacy including standard reportage, treatment guidelines and management of breast diseases.
Dr. Anyanful has been with and served a term as President of the Ghana Biomedical Convention, now Convention of Biomedical Researchers, Ghana since 2009. This organization is committed to advancing bio-medicine and promote health in the sub-region. He has also chaired and is a member of several University Committees, a managing editor and reviewer for several journals and currently a board member of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
