Did you know that Prostate Cancer kills more men than witchcraft?

Posted Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 09:56:47 AM by Administrator

Across the world, prostate cancer ranks among the most common cancers affecting men, and yet many live unaware until it’s too late. In Ghana, this reality is even more stark. According to GLOBOCAN 2022, prostate cancer accounts for nearly 21.0% of all new cancer cases among men, making it the second most frequent cancer in Ghanaian men. (Global Cancer Observatory) Sadly, late-stage diagnosis and limited awareness turn what is often treatable into a deadly threat.
As the world emphasizes men’s health and early detection, New Crystal Health Services joins the call with a bold message: don’t wait, screen now.

Understanding Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland located just below the bladder in men, responsible for producing fluid that mixes with sperm. When cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably, they can form tumors and, in advanced cases, spread to bones, lymph nodes, and other organs.
In Ghana, prostate cancer is making deadly inroads. In a major Ghanaian study of over 5,000 biopsies, 48.5% were confirmed to be prostate cancer, and 78.2% of those were high-grade tumors. (PubMed) Another local research estimated that more than 80% of men diagnosed may not survive, largely due to late detection. (EAS Publisher)
In fact, recent studies show that Ghana records roughly 2,129 new prostate cancer cases annually, with a case-fatality rate around 52.5%, making it one of the most lethal male cancers in the country. (PLOS)

Causes and Risk Factors
We still don’t fully understand all the causes, but known risk factors include:
•    Age: Risk increases sharply after 50
•    Ethnicity and genetics: Black men are at higher risk
•    Family history: Especially first-degree relatives
•    Lifestyle: Diets high in red meat, obesity, sedentary habits
•    Hormonal levels: Androgens influence prostate growth
•    Late presentation & myths: Many delay medical care in Ghana due to stigma or belief in traditional remedies. (Nature)
These factors combine to push many Ghanaian men into advanced stages before diagnosis.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored
Often, early stages produce no symptoms. When they emerge, they can mimic benign prostate conditions:
•    Weak or interrupted urinary flow
•    Difficulty starting or stopping urination
•    Frequent night-time urination
•    Blood in urine or semen
•    Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
•    Sexual dysfunction
Because symptoms overlap with other conditions, medical evaluation is crucial.

Diagnosis & Treatment Options
How It’s Diagnosed
•    PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test
•    Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
•    Biopsy, often guided by imaging
•    MRI / CT scans to determine spread
Treatment Approaches
Treatment depends on how far the cancer has progressed, patient health, and preferences:
•    Active surveillance for low-risk disease
•    Surgery (prostatectomy)
•    Radiation therapy
•    Hormone therapy
•    Chemotherapy
•    Combination therapies
•    Palliative care for advanced cases
Because many Ghanaian cases present late, aggressive treatment and supportive care are common. (Nature)

Why Early Screening Matters
•    Early-stage cancers are far more treatable
•    Reduced risk of metastasis and complications
•    Less aggressive treatment, fewer side effects
•    Better quality of life and higher survival rates
In Ghana, population screening initiatives have revealed a 7.0% detection rate in otherwise unscreened populations, showing that many cases go unnoticed. (Stanford Medicine)

How New Crystal Hospital Supports You
This September to November, we are stepping forward with a 30% discount on prostate cancer screening. At New Crystal Health Services, our range of services includes:
•    PSA testing and DRE evaluation
•    Specialist consultations and treatment planning
•    Imaging, biopsy referrals, and follow-up care
•    General, specialist, and diagnostic services
We are committed to lowering barriers to care. Early detection can literally save lives.

What You Should Do Now
1.    If you are aged 40 or older, especially with family history, get screened.
2.    Visit any New Crystal branch during this campaign and ask for the prostate screening with the 30% reduction.
3.    Talk with your doctor about your risk and decide on the best approach.
4.    Adopt a healthy lifestyle: exercise, balanced diet, avoid smoking.
5.    Spread awareness among your circle; many men suffer in silence.

Final Word
Prostate cancer may be called a silent killer, but it doesn’t have to be. In Ghana, late-stage diagnosis is killing too many men unnecessarily. This is the perfect time to turn awareness into action. Let New Crystal Hospital be your partner in prostate health. Don’t wait. Screen today.

Call us for more: Hotline: 0544347239, MTN Toll-Free: 0800180260

Sources
•    GLOBOCAN 2022 Ghana Factsheet — prostate among leading cancers in men (Global Cancer Observatory)
•    Mensah JE et al. TRUS-guided biopsy prostate cancer detection in Ghana (PubMed)
•    Review of Prostate Cancer in Ghana (EAS Publisher)
•    Obeng F et al., “Predicting prostate cancer metastasis in Ghana” (PLOS)
•    Barriers to orthodox medical care for prostate cancer in Ghana (Nature)
•    High Prevalence of Screen-Detected Prostate Cancer in West Africa (Hsing et al.) (Stanford Medicine)