Ghana’s high prostate cancer mortality rate is largely being driven by late detection, with men often seeking medical attention only after the disease has advanced, Professor Alex Adjei, Chair of the Taussig Cancer Institute in the United States, has warned.
He said about 82 per cent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ghana die annually, a situation he described as worrying, particularly because countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom record higher numbers of cases but significantly lower mortality rates.
Prof Adjei explained that Ghana’s prostate cancer incidence was comparatively about three times lower than that of the US and UK, yet the country recorded a higher proportion of deaths because many patients reported for treatment at advanced stages.
He therefore urged men to make regular screening and early medical consultations a priority, stressing that detecting the disease early could significantly improve treatment outcomes and prevent avoidable deaths.
Prof Adjei made the call at an annual public lecture on cancer organised by the Soroptimist International Club of Accra at the British Council.
The lecture, held on the theme: “How Can We Stop Deaths from Prostate Cancer?”, brought together health professionals and members of the public to discuss prevention, early detection and treatment of the disease.
He said men at higher risk, particularly African men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, should begin discussions with their doctors from age 40.
According to him, such individuals could develop aggressive forms of the disease which, if not detected and treated early, could spread to other parts of the body and become more difficult to manage.
Prof Adjei noted that prostate cancer may show no symptoms during its early stages, making regular medical checks particularly important.
He said symptoms such as difficulty urinating, a reduced urinary stream, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss and erectile dysfunction could occur when the disease had progressed.
He explained that prostate cancer becomes life-threatening mainly when it spreads beyond the prostate to other parts of the body.
Prof Adjei also stressed the importance of healthy lifestyles, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, while encouraging men to undertake annual Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) checks from age 50.
He cautioned that younger men should not assume they are completely protected from the disease, noting that research had shown that prostate cancer could also affect younger individuals.
He further called on spouses and caregivers to provide emotional and practical support to men undergoing treatment, saying adequate care could help patients successfully navigate the different stages of treatment.
During a panel discussion, Dr Bernard Toboh, a urologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, described prostate cancer as a disease that “has no respect for persons” and called for intensified public education and sensitisation.
Dr Adrian Oddoye, a general practitioner at Akai House Clinic, also urged men to undergo regular screening and encouraged doctors to ensure patients receive appropriate checks.
President of the Soroptimist International Accra Club, Ms Karen Korsa-Amarteifio, said the lecture was organised to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the high number of deaths associated with the disease in Ghana.
She said the club had previously organised public lectures to educate communities about cancer and other health issues but suspended the initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants at the event raised questions about how to respond to abnormal PSA results, the role of caregivers and appropriate foods and lifestyles for reducing cancer risks.
The programme also included a fundraising exercise to support the purchase of a food warmer for the paediatric oncology unit.
Soroptimist International is a global organisation of professional women from different disciplines that works to advance the education and status of women and girls and promote women’s professional and leadership development.
Founded in 1921 as a global volunteer service organisation for women, it has nearly 72,000 members across 121 countries.
