Nurse in-charge of the Urology Clinic at the Volta Regional Hospital in Hohoe, Bridget Letsa, emphasized the crucial role of early detection in increasing the survival rate of prostate cancer.
She expressed concern that many cases of prostate cancer seen at the clinic were already in advanced stages, making treatment challenging.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during the launch of the 2023 Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign, with the theme “Fighting Prostate Cancer; Early Detection Plays a Critical Role in Survival Rate,” Letsa highlighted that September is recognized internationally as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
She stressed that raising awareness about the disease and conducting screenings were essential because prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Ghana.
Letsa noted that prostate cancer often didn’t receive as much attention as breast and cervical cancers, which is why the clinic has taken on the role of advocating for prostate cancer awareness. She believed that spreading awareness would empower communities to stay informed and take prompt action.
Prostate cancer has a genetic component, so men with family members affected by the disease should consider screening.
Yearly screenings are recommended for men above the age of 40, along with adopting healthy lifestyles such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, reduced smoking or alcohol consumption.
In addition to providing daily free screenings and health education at the clinic throughout September, targeted screenings in Hohoe – Adabraka and the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, and Likpe areas will benefit hundreds of people.
One beneficiary of the screenings encouraged men to get screened early, emphasizing that prevention is better than cure and early detection can lead to timely treatment.