A prominent Ghanaian urologist has called for men to prioritise regular prostate cancer screenings, highlighting the disease’s impact on fertility and its potentially fatal consequences if left undiagnosed.
Dr Yaw Amoah, a fertility specialist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, who also consults at Mustard Health Systems in Kotobabi, Accra, emphasises that early detection through screening is crucial for managing the condition effectively.
He explained that post-surgery, natural conception becomes impossible for men, even if they retain the ability to have sex.
Speaking to the Mirror in Accra last Wednesday to raise awareness about prostate cancer, Dr Amoah said: “It is a very big problem. Each year, one in every four black men is diagnosed with it.”
He stressed that early diagnosis through screening makes the cancer easier to manage. “If a man had surgery as part of treatment for prostate cancer, he was unable to have children the natural way except through In Vitro Fertilisation by taking sperms from the testis,” Dr Amoah explained.
While the exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown, Dr Amoah highlighted key risk factors: “The risk factors included age, race and family history, explaining that the risk rose as men grew older and prostate cancer was more common in black men.”
Symptoms of the condition include difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and blood in urine.
Dr Amoah emphasised that regular screening is crucial for prevention: “Regular screening remained key since any abnormality would be seen early for medical attention.”
The urologist’s warnings come amidst growing concerns about prostate cancer rates, particularly among black men. His advice underscores the importance of early detection and regular health check-ups in combating this serious condition.
