Mr Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation Wednesday stated that though cancer remained a major public health concern it was not a death sentence.
He noted that this was because many cancers could be prevented, managed, or successfully treated when detected early.
“Knowing the signs and symptoms, going for regular screening, adopting healthy lifestyles and supporting one another can help save lives of cancer patients,” he said.
Mr Atidzah stated this in a release copied to the Ghana News Agency as part of cancer awareness campaign in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service in the Volta region as Ghana joined the global community to mark World Cancer Day on February 4.
The Day was instituted on February 4, 2000, to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
The celebration of the Day was led by the Union for International Cancer Control to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration written in 2008.
The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer.
Mr Atidzah therefore urged the people to be proactive towards cancer prevention and early detection.
He encouraged the public to participate in routine screenings for common cancers including breast, prostate, cervical, and liver cancers.
The Executive Director advised them to seek early medical attention when symptoms of the disease arose.
He mentioned some of the symptoms as unexplained lumps, unusual bleeding, skin changes, persistent pain, nights sweats, bowel changes, weight loss, fatigue, and hoarseness.
He stressed on the importance of healthy lifestyles such as avoiding the use of tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining balanced diets and engaging in regular physical activity.
Mr Atidzah called for collective efforts to break the stigma and misconception surrounding cancer.
He said that fear and misinformation often delayed seeking medical care and worsened outcomes.
Mr Atidzah was of the view that as cancer affected individuals, families and communities, standing together, supporting survivors and promoting open discussions “we can close the cancer care gap and protect the health of our people.”
GOSANET Foundation is a health NGO operating in some districts of the Volta region.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo
Pic attached
05 Feb. 2026
