Pharmacist expresses the need for awareness on dangers of cancer

Accra, April 29, GNA - Mr. Edward Amporful, Chief Pharmacist, Cocoa Clinic on Thursday called for more advocacy and creation of awareness on the dangers of cancer and the preventive measures against infection.

"We need more people to assist bodies like the Cancer Society of Ghana (CSG) to do more advocacy and warn others of the dangers of cancer to save more lives," he said.

Mr. Amporful was delivering a lecture on the topic:"Cancer - a new epidemic," as part of activities marking the Central University College Women's Week Celebration.

The theme for the celebration was:"Empowering Today's Women for Tomorrow's Success.

Mr. Amporful noted that there are many high profile personalities in the country who are cancer patients but had not gathered the needed courage to do public advocacy on the disease prevention.

He said during the past year, more than seven million deaths occurred through cancer as compared to about 5.5 million from deaths through HIV/ AIDS , tuberculosis and malaria.

"By the year 2020, there would be 16 million new cases of cancer per year and 10 million people would die from cancer each year," he added.

Mr. Amporful advised that since 40 per cent of cancers could be prevented, basic measures such as health education, cancer screening, changes in lifestyle and eating healthy foods would be essential for prevention.

He added that diet was the highest risk factor for causing cancer followed by tobacco, virus infection and other sexual lifestyles.

Mr. Amporful said risks such as family history, genetic make-up, personal and menstrual history ware non- modifiable, whilst the use of oral contraceptives, consumption of alcohol, obesity and hormone replacement are modifiable.

He said since cancer cells were very elusive, people should develop the habit of seeking early treatment.

"The four common types of cancer are the breast, cervix, liver and prostrate but breast cancer is high among women and prostrate cancer high among men."

Mr. Amporful called on husbands to allow their wives to seek early treatment for breast cancer.

He said some women refuse to go through surgical operation for prevention of breast cancer on the excuse that their husbands had not granted them permission.

He said the CSG would continue to fight for the passage of the tobacco bill in order to ban smoking in public places.

Activities lined up to round off the celebrations include a breast screening exercise for female students on campus and a dinner dance.

GNA