Foundation launches prostate cancer awareness programme
Men's Health Foundation Ghana (MHFG), a prostate cancer support group, in collaboration with the Christian Community Microfinance Limited (CCML), has launched a prostate cancer campaign in Accra.
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The campaign, which is to raise awareness of prostate cancer, is also aimed at managing the disease among men.
The campaign, dubbed: ‘Men United versus Prostate Cancer,’ among other things, appeals to men and encourages them to go for prostate cancer screening.
As part of the campaign, the two bodies organised a free prostate cancer screening and consultation exercise at the Akoto House Health Centre at Dodowa on Father’s Day, which fell on June 15 this year.
According to the Founder of MHFG, Raphael Obu, an advocate of the fight against prostate cancer and a registered naturopathic doctor, he was inspired to work as an ambassador for prostate cancer after seeing his loved ones, particularly a number of elderly friends, diagnosed with and dying of the disease.
Naturopathic clinic for prostate cancer
“Men’s Health Foundation Ghana aims to reduce the prostate cancer mortality rate by 2025 and has established the first naturopathic clinic for prostate cancer at Dodowa to support men with prostate cancer, manage side effects of treatment and improve survivorship,” he added.
Dr Obu said research showed that one in every four black men was likely to get prostate cancer.
He said a prostate cancer patient died in every one hour but was quick to add that the situation was not hopeless since a number of interventions, including early diagnosis, could help the situation.
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According to him, just as women had been actively involved in fighting breast cancer, men must also stand up and help combat prostate cancer.
He said Men’s United would push for a specific policy on prostate cancer in Ghana similar to the UK Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme (PCRMP).
Dr Obu said black men had significantly higher rates of prostate cancer, therefore, the fight must begin now.
The Head of Corporate Services of CCML, Mrs Mary Mariamah Armah, said the CCML chose to organise the Father’s Day Prostate Cancer awareness and screening exercise because the company was very much concerned about the impact of the disease.
Writers email: doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh