Accra, 7 Feb., GNA - The Ghana Media Advocacy Programme (G-MAP), a child-focused non-governmental organizations (NGO), has called on civil society organizations, opinion leaders, women groups and other bodies to support the fight against cervical cancer in the country. A statement signed by Mr. Abdul Malik Jeleel, Executive Director of the NGO, expressed worry that statistics shows that a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes and that approximately 80 per cent of deaths occur in developing countries as a result of weak or non-existent cervical cancer screening and treatment programmes world wide.

It said that "the disease is the most common type of cancer in women and the hosting of the cervical cancer conference in Ghana this year would enhance the country's effort at creating awareness among women on the disease."

The statement said that a survey carried out by the Global Youth Action Network, Ghana, an NGO, established that 98 per cent of every 320 young women aged between 15 years and 25 years in the country were ignorant of cervical cancer.

It said the formation of a committee by the Minister of Health, Dr. Benjamin Kunbour, to ensure the success of the impending conference, demonstrated government's seriousness at combating cervical cancer. The statement expressed the hope that the conference would provide more strategies for organizations, policymakers and health personnel engaged in the fight against the disease in the country.

It indicated that " With reference to Professor E.K Wiredu's study on cancer mortality patterns in Ghana for 1991 to 2000, out of 3,659 cases reviewed during autopsies, cancer in general was 1,651 with cancer of the cervix recording 1,22 making it the fourth highest."

The statement advised the public against stigmatization of people suffering and living with the disease. 7 Feb. 10