Prof. Joel Yarney, an oncology and radiotherapy consultant at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, has advised men to prepare for the threat of prostate cancer once they reach adulthood because it cannot be prevented.

He claimed that all men were at risk for prostate cancer and that it wasn’t just for specific types of people.

Last Thursday, Prof. Yarney participated in a panel discussion at a public engagement on prostate cancer held in Accra by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), in collaboration with the University of Ghana Medical Center and the Society of Medical Physicists.

The talk was a component of GAEC’s commemoration of its 60th anniversary.

Additional panelists were Dr. Emmanuel Asante, urologist at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC); Prof. Verna Vanderpuye, KBTH Radiation Oncologist; Dr. Samuel Asiamah, KBTH Radiologist; and Dr. Eric Addison, Medical Physicist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

Deficiency

According to Prof. Yarney, prostate cancer was more common among Black males 40 years of age and older, but it could affect any man.

“It could be worse among those with family history because they are at a higher risk of being diagnosed of prostate cancer earlier than expected,” he stated.

However, Dr. Asante downplayed a study that was done in the United States and Australia that suggested men needed to ejaculate at least 21 times per month in order to prevent the condition.

He said that because all of the respondents were white and over 50, the study was deceptive.

Additionally, he thought it was a little odd that ejaculation might include masturbation and bedwetting in addition to sexual activity.

Therefore, he advised the people to seek early diagnosis and treatment instead of being duped by such research being shared on social media.

According to Prof. Yarney, a person does not definitely have prostate cancer just because they exhibit its symptoms.

Answers

Prof. Yarney urged the government to urgently acquire a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) machine in order to improve the disease’s treatment and uncover answers and precise ways to identify it.

He claimed that the gadget was significantly more accurate than traditional CT and MRI scans at detecting malignancies that “were travelling” within the body.

Speaking about the two treatment modalities—radiation and surgery—he stated that fear, money, and symptom interpretation were the main causes of treatment delays.

In an effort to save lives, Prof. Vanderpuye encouraged the government to include some of the treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

However, Dr. Addison noted that because cases were not reported promptly, several individuals were unable to survive the illness.

He claimed that if only men would have the guts to undergo routine testing after they turned 40, the illness could be easily addressed.

Regulation

Dr. Ignatius A. N. Awinibuno, Chief Programme Officer (Director), Allied Health, Ministry of Health, defended his position by stating that the ministry has implemented a non-communicable illness program that included prostate cancer and other malignancies over the previous three years.

He said that the policy described the goal and approach to cancer treatment.

Documenting more than 50 occurrences of prostate cancer and creating a cancer registry to serve as the foundation for tracking down and providing assistance are two of the tactics.

Additionally, it aims to increase the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment through evidence-based and economical interventions, encourage physical activity and a healthy diet among all Ghanaians, implement workplace fitness programs and laws, prohibit smoking in public areas, and support screening, early detection, and treatment.