Rising Colorectal Cancer Cases in Ghana: 2,000 Deaths Annually

Professor Jonathan Dakubo states that close to 2,000 Ghanaians die from colorectal cancer each year, with 3,000 to 4,000 new cases annually. He identifies poor diets, lack of exercise, and substance abuse as major risk factors. He emphasizes the need for healthier lifestyles to combat this preventable disease.

Professor Jonathan Dakubo, a surgery expert at the University of Ghana Medical School, revealed that approximately 2,000 Ghanaians succumb to colorectal cancer each year. During a recent interview broadcasted on Joy News and reported by GhanaWeb, he mentioned that the annual incidence of new cases in Ghana ranges between 3,000 and 4,000.

He emphasized the tragic nature of these statistics, noting that colorectal cancer is both preventable and treatable, rendering every death a profound loss. “In Ghana, we see about 3,000 to 4,000 new cases every year. And about 1500, 2000 people in this country die every year. To put in perspective, the village I come from, our population is about 300. So, it means every year five times the population of my village is lost to this cancer,” he stated.

Professor Dakubo highlighted several significant risk factors contributing to this disease, including poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and substance abuse. He explained, “The first risk factor is diet, the food that we eat, the second one is our exercise levels. The third one is abuse of substances, alcohol, tobacco, opioids. And then we’ll talk about the hereditary cancers too, because there are some of these cancers that you inherit from your, your family.”

Additionally, he pointed out the role of environmental factors, such as pesticides and chemicals from mining activities, in altering the microbial flora of the colon, which may exacerbate health issues. He urged the population to engage in healthier lifestyle choices to mitigate the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), colorectal cancer remains the third most prevalent cancer globally, accounting for about 10% of all cancer cases. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related fatalities, predominantly impacting older adults, particularly those aged 50 and older.

In summary, colorectal cancer presents a significant health challenge in Ghana, with nearly 2,000 annual deaths attributed to the disease. Professor Dakubo’s insights on the preventable nature of colorectal cancer underline the urgent need for lifestyle changes and increased public awareness. With approximately 3,000 to 4,000 new cases reported each year, addressing dietary habits, exercise levels, and environmental health risks is vital in reducing this disease’s burden on society.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com