Men Urged: Take Charge of Your Prostate Health and Prevent Tragic Deaths

By Muniratu Akweley Issah

Accra, May 8, GNA – Mr Paul Kobla Mensa Kudonoo, President of The Cancer Project Foundation Ghana, has urged men to prioritise their health, particularly prostate cancer, to prevent needless deaths.

He observed that numerous men between the ages of 55 and 65 had succumbed to the illness, even though screening and early detection could have prevented these deaths.

Mr. Kudonoo offered his advice during the inauguration of The Cancer Project Foundation in Accra on Wednesday.

He voiced his worries about the significant amount of avoidable fatalities resulting from insufficient knowledge, delayed detection, and the expensive nature of diagnostic tests and therapies.

The event was under the auspices of the Ga Mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II. It was on the theme “Men United Against Prostate Cancer and Prostatitis.”

Prostate cancer, a prevalent malignant condition in males, impacts the prostate gland within the male reproductive system.

It usually advances gradually and can stay without symptoms during its initial phase.

Nevertheless, severe instances exhibit symptoms such as trouble with urination, discomfort during urination or ejaculation, presence of blood in urine or semen, along with pains in the back, hips, or chest.

Advanced age, familial background, and hereditary propensity are significant contributing elements.

Mr. Kudonoo emphasized the significance of routine check-ups, saying, “Gentlemen, treat your individual health with seriousness; make sure to undergo screenings, ideally two times per year. However, even if only once annually, this would still be beneficial—though striving for biannual appointments is preferable.”

He urged men to stay alert, and further stated, “It’s equally crucial that you pay attention to what your body is telling you.”

“As soon as you notice difficulty in passing urine or experience any retention, please promptly visit the closest hospital for an examination,” he advised.

Mr. Kudonoo characterized the figures as concerning, noting that “approximately 78 percent of men experience this issue, with merely around 8 or 9 percent managing to access treatment. This has led to the creation of a center where men can receive complimentary screenings.”

He highlighted that offering free screenings would mark the initial phase in addressing this problem and revealed intentions to broaden services to include other types of cancer such as those affecting the breasts and cervix.

Justice Madam Julia Naa Yarley Adjei Amoah, who serves as the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Ga Mantse, reiterated King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II’s dedication to backing the initiative and protecting people’s lives.

She highlighted the importance of tackling men’s health issues, saying, “At this point, we cannot allow silence and indifference to continue.”

Too many men are enduring pain silently, families are mourning preventable losses, and lives are ending prematurely just because we haven’t provided them with the necessary tools, access, and knowledge for survival.

Mrs. Amoah appealed to President John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, community elders, religious institutions including both churches and mosques, Corporate Ghana, and the press to back her initiative.

She emphasized, ‘This initiative goes beyond being merely a project; it’s a legacy—a pledge to future generations of mankind. The Ga Mantse, with his innate sagacity and compassion, has initiated this endeavor by contributing his name, his palace, and his backing to the cause.’

GNA

KAS