Prostate cancer affects fertility, can be fatal if undetected — Dr Amoah

A Urologist with a speciality in fertility, Dr Yaw Amoah, has advised men to take regular screening for prostate cancer more seriously since it not only affects fertility but can cause death.

He explained that after surgery to manage the cancer, a man is unable to naturally have children even though able to have sex.

In a chat with The Mirror in Accra last Wednesday to create awareness about prostate cancer, Dr Amoah, who works with the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and consults at Mustard Health Systems in Kotobabi, Accra, said the cancer, when diagnosed early, was easier to manage and that could only be achieved through screening.

He explained that if a man had surgery as part of treatment for prostate cancer, he was unable to have children the natural way except through In Vitro Fertilisation by taking sperms from the testis.

Asked about the extent to which prostate cancer was serious in the country, Dr Amoah said: “It is a very big problem. Each year, one in every four black men is diagnosed with it.”

On the causes, Dr Amoah said even though the exact cause was not known, the risk factors included age, race and family history, explaining that the risk rose as men grew older and prostate cancer was more common in black men.

The symptoms of the condition include trouble urinating, erectile dysfunction and blood in urine.

On preventive measures, the urologist said regular screening remained key since any abnormality would be seen early for medical attention .

Writer’s email: doreen.hammond@graphic.com.gh/ aamakai@rocketmail.com