ACO marks World cancer day

The African Cancer Organization (ACO) will today hold Cancer Prevention Sensitization to mark this year’s world cancer day.

February 4, of every year is set aside by the Union for International Cancer Control and dedicated to raising awareness about cancer and pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action against the disease. This year’s World Cancer Day is themed “we can, I can”

According to the Executive Director of ACO, Paul Opoku Agyeman, “The goal of this program is to sensitize Ghanaians about cancer prevention, pledge leaders to promote cancer prevention especially at their respective workplaces and also as change agents in our society”


“We believe when leadership has a grasp of the message, it is easier for our folks down there to receive it and change their perception towards cancer and then lead a lifestyle that prevents cancer.” He added


He underscored the importance of toady’s program by expressing worry about poor perception and Knowledge of the disease among the vast population of Ghanaians.


According to Mr. Opoku Agyemang, making changes to the food we eat, the level of exercise we undertake, maintaining a normal body weight and having regular vaccination can prevent a third of cancers.

He said although much remains to be learned about cancer, enough is now known about the causes of cancer and means of control for suitable intervention to have a significant impact.

“The knowledge, the tools and the technologies required to fight and defeat cancer are all available. What is needed now is the system to effectively and efficiently translate the present knowledge into action -and that is what ACO is doing.”

The African Cancer Organization (ACO) is a non-governmental, non-political, not-for-profit cancer organization that promotes prevention and early detection intervention of cancer in Ghana. The organization holds campaigns which brings captains of industry, corporate heads, heads of civil society organizations, thought leaders and other opinion leaders in the country to take action against cancer.