In 2022, Ghana recorded 2,395 prostate cancer cases and 1,233 deaths, accounting for 52% and 90% of mortality respectively.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) emphasized the need for annual cancer screenings to identify early cases for treatment. The GHS assured the public that prevention, early detection programs, and life-saving interventions were available across the country.
This was announced during a media briefing in Accra to commemorate World Cancer Day, which is celebrated globally on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
Prostate and liver cancers
Dr. Akoriyea, a cancer expert, has emphasized the importance of prostate and liver cancers in males. He called on the media and development partners to raise awareness about healthy diets, physical activity, and hepatitis A and B vaccinations as effective cancer prevention methods.
He also emphasized the need for investment in cancer research, improved care, and social support systems for cancer patients. He emphasized the role of survivors, caregivers, healthcare workers, and media in promoting cancer care. He urged everyone to contribute to raising awareness, supporting loved ones, and advocating for prioritizing cancer care.
Survivor
The celebration’s high point was when Hannah Tetteh, a cancer survivor and health worker, told her terrifying story of how she was initially diagnosed with multiple meningiomas cancer, how she refused to have the tumor removed in surgery because it had multiplied, how expensive the entire treatment was, how painful the nights were, and how many people came together to help her pay for the two surgeries and therapy.
She advised cancer sufferers to keep taking their medicine and not stop taking it or self-medicating.
“Remain in touch with your physician and your medication. Because someone with a tumor took a certain drug and it worked for them, don’t modify your prescription,” she said.
Ms. Tetteh also urged families to help their loved ones deal with these situations and urged the government to implement policies that would lower the cost of cancer care in the nation.
Source: Graphic Online
