Case study: Impact of the Enhancing Prostate Cancer MOOC

Submitted to Sheffield Hallam University, UK –Faculty of Health and Wellbeing-Radiotherapy and oncology on ,24-08-2015

Abstract
The following is a case study to illustrate the impact of the Enhancing Prostate Cancer Care MOOC on my work in transforming the patient pathway for prostate cancer in Ghana. Participation in the course has sharpened my knowledge and enabled me to provide relevant information to Ghanaian men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

I come from the Shai-Osudoku district in the greater Accra region in Ghana. In June, 2013 prior to the EPCCMOOC, I founded the men’s charity, Men’s Health Foundation Ghana with the broad aim to raise awareness of prostate cancer and offer free screening using ultrasound and PSA testing using the local churches. Simultaneously I developed and provided information for Ghanaian men regarding prostate cancer treatment.

I have used my experience and the knowledge acquired during the course to inform and develop a road map for prostate cancer in Ghana. This gave me the confidence to write to the Minister of Health, to recommend developing a prostate cancer awareness program. This recommendation was acted upon by the Director General of the Health Service who tasked myself and the Men’ s Health Foundation, Ghana to collaborate with the Non-communicable Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health to inform and implement a National Cancer Plan for prostate cancer. This work is ongoing.

Subsequent to the EPCC MOOC, I have undertaken a significant amount of media work and promotion. One initiative I proposed, was a TV talk show called Men’s Health TV on ATV in Ghana. This proposal was accepted and I am now the host of the TV program to educate men on prostate health. I have appeared on a national television-GTV program on men’s world in 2014 to discussed interventions on prostate cancer. In addition I have appeared on a number of local TV stations in Ghana to discuss issues relating to prostate cancer. My media work has also included radio. I have appeared on a numerous local radio stations to discuss issues concerning prostate matters in Ghana e.g. the Joy FM Ultimate Health show.

The media work also extends into press work. I have featured in the Daily Guide newspaper -Tackling Prostate Cancer (2014) and the Daily Democrat-Men’s Health Crusader (2015) In addition I now write weekly columns in major newspapers including writing features in the National Daily Graphic to help raise awareness of the disease. I also write Fridays columns for the New Statesman, The Weekend Sun, The Weekend Finder, Today Newspaper and The Briefing Newspaper.

I recently called for a specific prostate cancer screening policy for men 40 years and above (and 35 years for men with a family history of the disease) on the NHIS in Ghana once in a year using the district hospitals or the government empowering prostate charities to undertake this. I did this by writing an article in the widely read national newspaper which is the Daily Graphic “Ghana needs Prostate Cancer Screening Program on the NHIS” (1^st June 2015).

I am currently encouraging the government and tertiary institutions to introduce courses in prostate cancer to train health workers interested in prostate cancer to help deal with the high mortality rates in Ghana.

Another development I initiated was the proposal to the President of the Republic of Ghana, to recognize Father’s Day as a National Prostate Cancer Day. The proposal is currently under consideration. I also proposed a course in psychosocial oncology to Akona School of counseling, Ghana that was accepted in 2015, I provide lectures on psychosocial oncology to psychosocial counseling students at the Akona School of Counseling, Ghana, to enable psychosocial counselors help men diagnosed with prostate cancer. I also proposed a course in integrative approach to prostate cancer management to the Traditional herbal and alternative medicines practice council of the Ministry of Health to help herbal practitioners in the management of prostate cancer which was accepted.

I also help men to deal with the side effect of prostate cancer treatment by providing complementary medicine in my clinic; De Men’s Clinic & Prostate Research Lab in Dodowa-Akoto House. The prostate research Lab at Dodowa, aims to provide research locally into prostate cancer in Ghanaian men.

This demonstrates the many ways in which the Enhancing Prostate Cancer MOOC and studies at Sheffield Hallam University, UK transformed my career and helped to transform the patient pathway for prostate cancer in Ghana.

References:

1. Declare Father’s day as Prostate Cancer day in Ghana(2015) m.peacefmonline.com/pages/news/social/201506/244077.php
2. Men’s Health Foundation Ghana(2014)To be accessed at www.wishesalliance.org/ngo-index/ngo.php?n=1032
3. Men’s Health Foundation Ghana Changing lives(2015) to be accessed at newsghana.com.gh › Health
4. Men’s Health Foundation Ghana called for Prostate Cancer Policy for Ghanaian men (2014) vibeghana.com/.../mens-health-foundation-called-for-prostate-cancer-pol...
5. Men’s Health Foundation Ghana to stage first ever symposium on prostate cancer (2014)to be accessed at www.dailyguideghana.com/mens-health-foundation-to-stage-first-prostat..
6. Foundation Launches Prostate Cancer awareness Program (2014) accessed at graphic.com.gh/.../25402-foundation-launches-prostate-cancer-awarenes...
7. Column: Making Father’s Day as National; Prostate Cancer day(2015)www.todaygh.com/column-making-fathers-day-national-prostate-cancer...
8. Prostate cancer expert writes expert letter to the president (2015) to be accessed at theheraldghana.com/prostate-cancer-expert-writes-expert-letter-to-the-pr.
9. National Cancer Plan Submission by Men’s Health Foundation Ghana (2014) To be accessed at www.modernghana.com/.../national-cancer-plan-submission-by-mens-he...
10. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu (2015) An Open Letter to the Minister of Health. To be accessed at theheraldghana.com/an-open-letter-to-minister-of-health/
11. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu (2015) Ghana Needs Prostate Cancer Screening Program on NHIS. Daily Graphic, Page 34. No. 19781
12. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu modernghana columnist. To be accessed at https://www.modernghana.com/author/NYARKOTEYRAPHAELOBU
13. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu. Cameronweb Columnist. To be accessed at www.cameroonweb.com/.../columnist.php?...Raphael%20Nyarkotey%20...
14. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu. Ghanaweb Columnist. To be accessed at www.ghanaweb.com/.../columnist.php?...%20Raphael%20Nyarkotey%2...
15. Men’s World With Raphael Nyarkotey Obu (2015) To be accessed at www.todaygh.com/mens-world-with-dr-raphael-nyarkotey-obu-nd-msc-...

1. Unplugging Breast and Prostate Cancers. To be accessed at thesunonlinegh.com/2015/06/unplugging-breast-and-prostate-cancers/

Pictures of my work in Ghana