Colorectal Cancer: A Public Health Concern in Ghana

Nearly 2,000 Ghanaians die from colorectal cancer annually, with 3,000 to 4,000 new cases reported each year. Professor Jonathan Dakubo stresses the preventable nature of the disease and highlights key risk factors: poor diet, inactivity, and substance abuse. He urges adoption of healthier lifestyles to reduce cancer incidence and aligns with WHO data ranking colorectal cancer among the most common globally.

Professor Jonathan Dakubo, a surgical expert at the University of Ghana Medical School, reported that nearly 2,000 Ghanaians succumb to colorectal cancer each year. In an interview aired on Joy News, he highlighted that the country experiences between 3,000 to 4,000 new colorectal cancer diagnoses annually, underscoring the preventable and treatable nature of the disease.

In detailing the impact of colorectal cancer, Professor Dakubo compared the annual death toll to the population of his hometown, stating that roughly five times that number is lost to this disease each year. He emphasized the gravity of the situation by providing a contextual example, noting that the loss equates to the entire population of a small village in Ghana.

The professor identified several significant risk factors contributing to colorectal cancer, including poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and substance abuse. He listed diet as the primary risk factor, followed by exercise levels and the consumption of harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and opioids.

Additionally, he mentioned hereditary factors and environmental contributors, like pesticides and chemicals—including those from mining activities—which may alter the microbial balance within the colon over time, potentially leading to cancer development.

Professor Dakubo urged the Ghanaian population to embrace healthier lifestyle choices to mitigate the incidence of colorectal cancer. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), colorectal cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer globally, representing 10% of all cancer cases. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, particularly affecting individuals over the age of 50.

Colorectal cancer remains a critical public health issue in Ghana, with close to 2,000 annual deaths and thousands of new cases each year. Professor Jonathan Dakubo emphasizes the preventable nature of this disease and highlights key risk factors, including diet, lack of exercise, and substance abuse. A call for healthier lifestyles is essential to attenuate its burden on society.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com