Prostrate cancer cases rising in Accra

Accra, Aug. 13, GNA - Hospital-based studies have shown that 120 cases of prostrate cancer are being reported in Accra yearly. Professor Edward Donkor Yeboah of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who disclosed this at a public lecture in Accra, said although the peak age of prostrate disorders was 65 years and above, the disease is now afflicting people as young as 20.

He said the disease, which was not a common cancerous condition started with slow flow of urine, which degenerate into acute chronic retention and also causes inflammation and the thickening of the wall of the bladder.

Professor Yeboah said stones are also formed in the bladder leading to infection, kidney problems and eventually cancer.

He said many people with prostrate cancer were likely to suffer from diabetics, adding that drugs were now available to deal with the problem thus minimising the risk of surgical operation. Prof. Yeboah warned that radical surgery might lead to impotence. Dr Joaquim Saweka, Country Representative of World Health Organisation, said more than 10 million new cases of cancer were being reported globally with six million deaths.

He called for early treatment and diagnosis as some of the means of preventing the cancer.

Dr Saweka asked political leaders to commit resources for preventive health rather than curative measures, which were often very expensive.

The lecture was organised by the District Grand Lodge of Freemasons, a charitable organisation in collaboration with Astra Zeneca, a pharmaceutical company, as part of its Diamond Jubilee celebration. 13 Aug 06