Prostate cancer is often called the silent killer of men, claiming lives worldwide while many remain unaware of its risks.
This September, marked globally as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month or ‘Blue Month’, Ghana’s own Dr Lemuel Davis Bray is raising his voice louder than ever.
From the consulting room to the airwaves and now through the pages of a new book, the Tema-based urologist is waging war on ignorance, stigma, and late diagnosis.
Beyond his consulting room, Dr Bray, a consultant urologist at the Tema General Hospital, has consistently engaged in public education through media engagements, health campaigns, and now a book publication.
Last Sunday in Tema, he launched his new book titled Understanding Prostate Cancer and Its Treatment: A Simplified Educational Resource for Everyone. Speaking to The Mirror, Dr Bray explained that the book attempts to answer frequently asked questions about prostate cancer, explores the most current treatment modalities, and provides a practical guide for men and their families in making informed decisions.
“Very few diseases take a significant toll on men’s self-confidence as diseases of the prostate. And of all of them, none is as fearsome as cancer,” he said. “Talking about it sooner rather than later, especially with the rapid advancement in modern medicine, gives us an excellent chance to maintain prostate health well into our later years.”
Understanding prostate
According to Dr Bray, diseases of the prostate gland stand out not only because of their impact, but also due to the mystery and confusion that often surrounds them. “A prostate disease could be a family disease; one person may get the disease, but the whole family or nation may suffer,” he noted.
The prostate gland, he explained, is a chestnut-sized male reproductive organ located just beneath the urinary bladder in the pelvis. Its position at the outlet of the bladder and the entrance of the urethra (the tube that carries urine outside the body) makes it central to urinary function. This unique location is why almost every prostate disease, whether benign or cancerous, tends to cause urinary problems in men. Women, however, do not have prostate glands and therefore do not suffer from prostate-related illnesses.
Dr Bray outlined the common prostate diseases as:
· Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) – an enlargement of the gland.
· Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate.
· Prostate Cancer – the most feared and dangerous of the three.
Importantly, he cautioned against assuming that the size of the prostate automatically indicates severity. “A small prostate gland with cancer could be more dangerous than a large gland with simple enlargement or inflammation,” he explained.
Complications often arise in the form of urinary retention, a progressive or sudden inability to pass urine. This may occur due to the disease itself or be triggered by factors such as urinary tract infections, binge drinking, certain medications, lower abdominal trauma, or spinal cord problems.
Risk factors of prostate cancer
While the exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown, Dr Bray highlighted several well-recognised risk factors. These include:
· Age – the likelihood increases significantly in older men.
· Ethnicity – black men are more predisposed.
· Family history – genetics play a significant role.
· Lifestyle – excessive alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, poor diet, and obesity all contribute.
· Other factors – such as frequency of ejaculation and hormonal influences.
He stressed that although men cannot control certain risk factors such as age or ethnicity, lifestyle modifications can greatly reduce the risk.
Treatment and advances in care
One major challenge with prostate cancer is that early stages often present no symptoms, meaning men may only notice it when the disease is already advanced. This makes screening and early detection critical.
“Research in molecular biology and imaging has rapidly expanded our knowledge about the initiation, detection, and progression of prostate cancer,” Dr Bray explained. “Advancements in immunotherapy are also an exciting new frontier. For instance, the approval of the vaccine PROSTVAC for metastatic prostate cancer treatment is promising, and we remain cautiously optimistic about its prospects.”
He encouraged men to undergo regular health checks, noting that prostate cancer outcomes are significantly better when diagnosed early. “There is always hope beyond what we know and see,” he added.
Who is Dr Bray?
Dr Lemuel Davis Bray is a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) and trained in surgery and urology at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. He graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and currently runs a busy urology practice at Tema General Hospital. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Central University.
He also trains surgical residents, medical students, and allied health professionals. In addition, he is also a member of the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr Bray has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, with a focus on paediatric urology, endourology, prostate cancer treatment, and reconstructive urological surgery. He also consults at private hospitals in Tema.
Dr Bray worships at the Gethsemane Methodist Church at Mamprobi, a suburb of Accra, and he is married to Diana (Lady Dee). They have three children: Neal Kweku Bray, Nigel Yooku Bray and Niandra Manza Bray. Outside of medicine, he enjoys reading, writing, and playing tennis.
The writer's email: hadiza.quansah@gmail.com
