The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and Bayer AG, a global enterprise, have launched a Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign themed ‘Real Men ACT’ in Accra.
The campaign, being executed by The Little Cow Consulting Limited, seeks to raise awareness on the issues of prostate cancer and conscientise men to prioritise and make informed decisions about their health. The campaign also seeks to transform the landscape of prostate cancer detection and treatment in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Little Cow Consulting Limited, Abdul-Nasser Alidu, said that the project seeks to reduce avoidable mortality and morbidity related to prostate cancer.
He stated that the campaign is specifically looking at creating awareness among men, and also educate gatekeepers about the disease in terms of risk factors to measures they are to take in curbing the disease. “We are looking generally at men aged 55 and above as well as gatekeepers such as the pharmacist, health care practitioners and traditional healers since our research shows that knowledge about prostate cancer among gatekeepers is low,” he explained.
He noted that the campaign will be piloted in eight strategically chosen districts within Accra, and the districts are Accra Metropolitan, Ayawaso East, Weija-Gbawe, Ga West, Shai Osudoku, Ashiaman, Kpone Katamanso, and Ledzokuku Municipal Assembly (LeKMA). “Hopefully, if it is successful and we can raise the needed awareness, then we can get the campaign funded to be expanded for the whole country,” he said.
He indicated that the districts were chosen because they had a peculiar and wider population that covered almost the whole of Accra. The CEO added that conversations will be conducted on radio and television as well as courtesy visits to stakeholders as part of the creation of awareness. In addition to the awareness campaign, he stated that the project will also strengthen the capacities of healthcare professionals offering services at the primary and secondary levels of care.
He further urged all men to take the testing of their prostate seriously as the stories of people who have experienced prostate cancer are harrowing.
A Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Isaac Asiedu, said that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer. He stated that this is due to the lack of awareness about the risk factors, symptoms and importance of early detection of the cancer among the male population.
He indicated that there is also a lack of knowledge among community pharmacists and traditional healers as first points of contact for parts of the target group to interpret symptoms properly and make referrals to nearby health facilities. He therefore noted that an increased awareness and improved access will result in improved early diagnosis in the selected communities in the Greater Accra Region.
The project has Reggie Rockstone as its campaign ambassador, who will use his voice to raise awareness of the disease. Reggie Rockstone urged men to get screened since it’s a simple test that can save their lives. “Don’t wait. Get screened today. It is the best way to protect yourself from prostate cancer. Together we can save lives,” he stressed.
The prostate cancer campaign is funded through DeveloPPP and implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
