A mass prostate cancer screening in Sunyani recorded a disappointing turnout, raising concerns about men’s health awareness in Ghana. The five-day exercise at the Sunyani Teaching Hospital in the Bono Region attracted just over 200 participants, despite being the maiden prostate screening campaign in the municipality. The programme was organized under the theme “Early Detection Saves Lives.”
Speaking in an interview with Magyina Kwasi on the sidelines, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere, the urologist leading the exercise, expressed worry that many men did not take advantage of the free service.
He explained that prostate cancer in Ghana and across Africa often develops silently without symptoms until advanced stages.
Warning signs that may eventually appear include frequent urination, blood in urine, and excessive urination at night. He stressed that men aged 40 years and above are most at risk, particularly those with obesity, poor diets, or inactive lifestyles.
Dr. Owusu-Sekyere assured that government hospitals are working to extend prostate health screening into rural communities to reduce financial barriers.
He appealed to traditional leaders, NGOs, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to support public education campaigns so men will prioritize regular screening and early diagnosis.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022), prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Ghana, making up 21 percent of all male cancer cases in 2022. The age-standardized incidence rate is about 30 cases per 100,000 men, placing it above other cancers among males. Across Africa, prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, with incidence averaging 22 new cases per 100,000.
Experts caution that without better awareness, screening, and treatment, the burden will keep rising. Globally, prostate cancer accounts for more than 1.4 million new cases every year, and research projects that the figure could double by 2040, with deaths expected to climb sharply in sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income regions.
Public health experts continue to emphasize that early detection of prostate cancer saves lives. They recommend regular screening for men over 40, healthier diets, increased physical activity, and stronger community education initiatives as key steps toward reducing prostate cancer deaths in Ghana and beyond.
