234 Men Succumb to Prostate Cancer in Ghana Over Decade

A recent study published in the Journal of the West African College of Surgeons has revealed that 234 men died from prostate cancer in Ghana between 2013 and 2022. The study attributes these fatalities to the aggressive nature of the disease and delayed diagnosis.

According to the report, the victims, aged 40 to 90 years, were documented from clinical records at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. The highest number of deaths occurred among men aged 60 to 79.

Of the total deaths, 51.3% occurred within two years of diagnosis, with another 23.0% dying between two and five years post-diagnosis. A quarter of the patients survived beyond five years after diagnosis.

The study also highlighted a slow adoption of advanced treatment strategies for metastatic prostate cancer, echoing concerns that black populations tend to face worse outcomes due to the disease’s aggressive behavior.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally and was the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in 2020. In Ghana, it ranks as the second leading cause of male cancer deaths and is the most prevalent male cancer at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

The disease often progresses without symptoms in its early stages but can manifest with symptoms such as urinary difficulties, blood in urine or semen, bone pain, unintended weight loss, and erectile dysfunction as it advances.

The report emphasized that over 80% of the deceased had advanced disease at diagnosis, indicated by high PSA levels, advanced tumor stages on Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), and signs of metastasis.

“Early detection significantly reduces mortality from prostate cancer,” remarked Professor James Edward Mensah, Head of the Department of Surgery at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and President of the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons. He stressed the importance of seeking medical attention promptly upon experiencing symptoms or being at higher risk due to age or family history.

Prof. Mensah urged men, especially those at higher risk, to undergo regular PSA blood tests and biopsies starting at age 40 to facilitate early intervention and improve treatment outcomes.

He also called for increased training of specialized medical personnel and ensuring adequate availability of equipment across all regions to enhance the management of prostate cancer in Ghana.