GAEC launches 2024 cancer screening, awareness 2024 - • Includes prostate and breast cancer

Building on last year’s impact, the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) has launched its 2024 cancer awareness and free screening campaign. The screening will now include prostate cancer.

The launch took place last Tuesday at the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS) in Kwabenya, Accra, on the theme, “Uniting Our Voices and Taking Action Against Cancer”.

According to the Deputy Director General of GAEC, Prof. Dickson Adomako, the campaign aimed to educate the public about breast and prostate cancers, promote early detection, offer free screening and provide support for those affected by these diseases.

“The campaign, which is in collaboration with the Radiological and Medical Sciences Research Institute (RAMSRI), is part of GAEC's broader mission to improve health care and contribute to the fight against cancer in Ghana,” Prof. Adomako added.
He said October would be devoted to breast cancer awareness and screening while November would focus on prostate cancer.

Reflecting on GAEC's impact last year, Prof. Adomako noted that through the campaign, data on cancer risk had been collected from 700 women, 900 persons had been screened, cancer education across all media platforms had been achieved, over 3,000 educational flyers and pamphlets had been distributed among other achievements.

The importance of the campaign 
On the importance of the campaign, the Director of RAMSRI, Prof Francis Hasford, emphasised that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 12 per cent of all cancers. 

“However, while breast cancer mainly affected women, men make up one per cent of cases. In Ghana, there are about 24,000 new cancer cases annually, including 4,500 breast cancer cases. Sadly, with breast cancer, 65 per cent of cases lead to death, with six women dying daily in Ghana”, he explained.

He noted that prostate cancer formed about 2,200 of all cancer cases, is the second most common cancer in men, and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths and stressed the importance of early detection and treatment. 

“When breast and prostate cancers for example are detected early, the chances of successful treatment exceed 90 per cent. This is crucial, as many Ghanaians delay seeking medical help, often leading to late-stage diagnoses where treatment is more challenging and less effective”, he noted.

Prof. Adomako reaffirmed GAEC and RAMSRI’s dedication to healthcare services and research, emphasising their commitment to creating awareness through this campaign. 

“Our goal is to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancer by one-third by 2030. We will use our platform to raise awareness through educational brochures, flyers, screenings, and health talks, and also seek financial, emotional and logistical support for those diagnosed”, he added.

Activities and screening programmes
Prof. Hasford noted that activities for the breast and prostate cancer campaign would include an awareness walk on October 11, 2024, which would cover 15 kilometres from the GAEC Hospital through to Dome, Kwabenya, Atomic Down Christian Village, West Legon and Haatso communities in Accra dubbed; ‘Walking cancer out of our communities’.

Mr Hasford said the campaign would engage various communities, markets, schools, religious bodies and corporate organisations in the fight against cancer. 

“Locations for screening for both prostate and breast cancers include Kwabenya, Dome, Taifa, and Madina markets, as well as the Kwabenya Senior High School and Teacher Mante townships in Accra. 

Corporate partners such as The Mirror, a brand of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Ghana National Gas Limited, the National Petroleum Authority, the International Maritime Hospital, G4 Security, and the Ghana Freezones Authority will also benefit from the free screening”, he added.

He added that in addition to cancer screening, participants would receive other health checks, including body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar and malaria tests, as well as free NHIS registration and renewal, and educational talks.