Accra, June 14, GNA - Mr Gershon Sena Sekley, Chief Executive Officer of G2 Medical Laboratory, at the weekend noted that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among Ghanaian men after lung cancer.

He said statistics indicate that five per cent of men who are 50 years and above, risk getting prostate cancer, whilst 10 per cent of men of 40 years and above with family history of the disease are likely to contract it.

Mr Sekley made the observation at the launch of Prostate Cancer Awareness month in Accra on the theme: "A Healthy Happy Father, A Healthy Happy Family and A Healthy Happy Nation." He said the disease was a real national threat, which called for the urgent need to intensify awareness in the media, public lectures and health discussions.

Mr Sekley said prostate cancer was a dangerous disease, which could cause emotional, physical and psychological pain. He said the cost of treatment also tend to cause economic hardship. Mr Sekley advised the public especially patients to do away with superstitious beliefs about the disease.

He said the disease could be controlled if men who fell within the vulnerable age group exposed themselves to regular check-ups for early detection of symptoms for treatment.

Mr Sekley said the medical laboratory would use the world celebration of Fathers' Day, on June 21, to create awareness on prostate cancer. He urged the revellers to "Get the father you love tested; get the husband or man you love tested. Prostate cancer can be prevented", he said.