Kidney screening, prostate checks necessary — Prof. Kyei
The Head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), Professor Mathew Kwame Yamoah Kyei, has emphasised the need to incorporate kidney screening in antenatal care policies and prostate checks at healthcare facilities across the country.
He said such measures would facilitate early detection of kidney cancers, particularly among pregnant women, and help reduce the mortality rate associated with the disease in the country.
Prof. Kyei said that in his inaugural lecture on the topic; “Naked but not ashamed: Revealing for good outcomes in management of Genito-urinary disorders”, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Accra.
The lecture drew on findings from years of research by Prof. Kyei, as well as his practical experience as a urologist.
Recommendations
“We recommend that as a policy, antenatal scans should go a step further to assess kidney health, while prostate screening must be encouraged at health centres.
Participants
“If we implement this, we stand a better chance of detecting kidney cancers at an early stage, when they are often curable. The smaller the cancer, the greater the likelihood of a cure,” he said.
Prof. Kyei also advised individuals diagnosed with reproductive and urinary system disorders, collectively known as genitourinary disorders, not to shy away from undergoing surgical interventions when necessary, as early treatment could be life-saving.
He said many patients delay treatment due to cultural and religious sensitivities that make them uncomfortable exposing their genitals to healthcare professionals.
Such reluctance, Prof. Kyei said, often resulted in late-stage diagnosis and avoidable complications.
He, therefore, urged patients to overcome such inhibitions, stressing the importance of openness for timely medical intervention.
Regular screening
Prof. Kyei further reassured patients that advancement in treatment had made most procedures relatively painless.
“Currently, all that may be needed after a procedure is a course of paracetamol for a day or two and even that, many patients find it unnecessary,” he said.
Prof. Kyei further highlighted the importance of regular prostate cancer screening, adding that both the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examination were effective tools for early detection.
He said individuals with a PSA level between four and 10 were 90 per cent safe from prostate cancer and encouraged men over 50 to undergo PSA testing every two years.
Prof. Kyei also said that radical prostatectomy — a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland, was a highly effective treatment for prostate cancer, despite its challenges.
Advice
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, also advised people to regularly visit health facilities to check their reproductive and urinary health to facilitate early detection and treatment of disorders.
