By Samira Larbie
Accra, Sept. 6, GNA – The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has called for intensified public education, early detection and increased investment in specialist training and diagnostic services to reduce the burden of prostate cancer in Ghana.
Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KBTH, made the call at the launch of the 2026 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, organised by the KBTH Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons (GAUS), with support from Provident Insurance.
He said prostate cancer remained a major cause of illness and death among men globally, with African men and men of African descent disproportionately affected.
Dr Adam said as a leading tertiary and referral health institution serving patients from across the country, KBTH had a responsibility to address the impact of the disease on individuals, families and the healthcare system.
He identified public education and early detection as critical to improving outcomes, noting that many patients reported to health facilities only after the disease had advanced, making treatment more difficult and costly.
“Knowledge remains one of our strongest weapons against disease,” he said, stressing the need to educate men about prostate cancer, its risk factors and the importance of appropriate screening and timely medical attention.
Dr Adam said management would support sustained awareness campaigns and the training of more urologists, nurses and other specialist healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive prostate cancer care.
He noted that specialists trained at KBTH would also serve other health facilities across the country, helping to improve access to care.
“Expanding the number and geographical spread of specialists is one of the surest ways of improving access to prostate cancer services and reducing the burden of the disease,” he said.
The CEO also challenged the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence to develop a practical and sustainable programme to make prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and appropriate prostate screening accessible to eligible male staff of the hospital.
He said the initiative would promote awareness, encourage appropriate screening and facilitate early identification and treatment of potential cases.
Dr Adam said the theme for this year’s campaign: “Prostate Cancer: Early Detection and Saving Lives,” highlighted the importance of early diagnosis in improving treatment outcomes.
Professor James Edward Mensah, Head of the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence, said prostate cancer was among the commonest cancers affecting men in Ghana and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men after liver cancer.
He said although prostate cancer detected early could be treated successfully, many men continued to present with advanced disease, when treatment options were limited.
Prof. Mensah urged men to seek reliable information and consult qualified healthcare professionals about their individual risk and screening options.
He said decisions on PSA testing and further assessment should consider factors such as age, family history, general health, personal preferences and individual risk.
He particularly encouraged men of African ancestry and those with a family history of prostate cancer to pay attention to their risk.
“Men should not wait for symptoms before discussing screening,” he said, noting that early prostate cancer might cause no symptoms.
Prof. Mensah said activities for the awareness month would include public education, community engagements, media discussions and screening exercises to bring accurate information closer to the public.
He also called for improved access to diagnostic services, specialist care, radiotherapy, surgery, medicines and supportive care, as well as stronger referral systems, local research and measures to reduce the financial burden of treatment.
The event brought together health professionals, prostate cancer survivors, partners, media practitioners and other stakeholders to promote awareness and early detection.
Activities planned for the month include prostate cancer screening at selected hospital outpatient departments across the country, an awareness float, community engagements at churches, mosques, schools and markets, and a webinar on September 24.
Prof. Mensah commended sponsors, partners, speakers, volunteers, healthcare teams and the planning committee for supporting the campaign and urged stakeholders to work together to improve prostate cancer outcomes in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Samira Larbie
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