Features
The Prostate …a ‘powerhouse’ that needs to be protected
Mr Brobbey
The prostate is a vital but often overlooked organ in the male reproductive system. This small gland plays a crucial role in men’s health, yet issues such as prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostatitis can affect its function and overall well-being.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder next to the rectum. Its primary function is to produce fluid that nourishes and protects sperm, aiding in sperm motility and fertility.
The prostate also plays a role in controlling urine flow and ejaculation. Maintaining a healthy prostate is essential for overall male reproductive health and quality of life.
Prostate health can be affected by various conditions, with the most common being prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide. Early detection through regular screenings, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and digital rectal examination, is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Prevalence
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in the United States of America (USA), Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide, with an estimated 1,414,000 new cancer cases and 375,304 deaths in 2020.
It also said, in Africa, Southern Africa has the highest incidence rates of 64.1 per 100,000, followed by Northern Africa with 35.9 per 100,000 while Western Africa recorded 31.9 per 100,000, whereas Eastern and Western 23.9 per 100,000 and 13.2 per 100,000, respectively.
According to NLM prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men of African descent.
In Ghana, evidence from population-based screening showed a prevalence of seven per cent in men between 50 and 74 years with the chance of having prostate cancer going up with age.
According to recent GLOBOCON data, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Ghanaian men and accounted for over 2000 new cases in 2020 alone.
Also the chairman of the Taussig Cancer Institute, Professor Alex Adjei, at an annual public lecture on cancer last year said 82 per cent of men with prostate cancer in Ghana die annually.
This, he said indicated that the mortality rate of prostate cancer in the country was higher than deaths related to breast and cervical cancers.
“This is a worrying situation because comparing Ghana to other countries such as US and the UK, they recorded more cases of prostate cancer annually, but have lower mortality rates while the majority survived.
According to Prof. Adjei, Ghana which had three times lower incidence of prostate cancer cases, however, had higher mortality compared to those countries due to late reporting.
Symptoms
An oncology nurse at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Eric Brobbey, said early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, while more advanced prostate cancer can cause symptoms such as trouble urinating, blood in urine or semen.
Also, he said persons suffering from the disease will have the urge to urinate more often especially at night, have erectile dysfunction, decreased force in the stream of urine, discomfort in the pelvic, pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones.
He mentioned that they also have weakness or numbness in legs or feet, due to spread of cancer to the spine and loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.
Risk Factors
Mr Brobbey said the chance of having prostate cancer goes up quickly after the age of 50 while men with a first degree male relative (father, brother) who had prostate cancer before age 65 have twofold risk of developing the disease compared with men who do not have a first degree relative with the disease.
“Also, the disease is more common in men of African descent compared with men of other races,” he said.
Screening and early detection
Mr Brobbey said cancer screening was aimed at detecting cancer before any symptoms appear adding that the method used depended on the cancer being screened for.
The benefits of screening, he said included early detection of disease and early treatment possibly for cure.
He mentioned that prostate cancer screening can be done with Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test, this is a simple blood test.
Mr Brobbey explained that the antigen was specific to the prostate but not specific for prostate cancer and urged that men should make an informed decision on whether they would like to be screened every year with the PSA test.
Treatment
The oncology nurse said the treatment of the disease depended on the stage of the disease and there were different options for its treatment, stating that sometimes two or more treatment options were needed to be combined and not all treatments were for cure.
“Prostate cancers are treated based on stage, grade and age of the patient,” he added.
Mr Brobbey said that the stage describes the extent of spread of the disease, explaining that stage one is early prostate cancer while stage IV is advance prostate cancer where the tumour has spread to other parts of the body.
“The grade of the disease refers to the appearance of the cancer cells when examined by a pathologist and this is an indication of how quickly and aggressively a cancer is growing,” he stated.
Mr Brobbey urged men to get screened and have their PSA test done to help detect the disease early before symptoms begin to show.
Recommendation
In an attempt to fight the disease at an early stage, a national intervention is needed to create maximum awareness of the disease and also encourage men to go through screening just as breast cancer.
Also lack of coverage for prostate cancer treatment under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana makes it difficult for the less privileged to access and sustain cancer care at any stage of the disease.
Just as some aspects of treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and some targeted therapies for breast cancers are catered for under NHIS, it is time some aspects of prostate cancer treatment was included in the scheme to give relief to patients.
With the current rate of the disease among men in the country, it is time Ghana embarks on a concerted effort to develop a better strategy for cancer control and invest in the setting up of well-equipped cancer treatment centres for early detection, diagnosis, treatment and research.
Conclusion
The prostate plays a vital role in men’s health and well-being, and protecting this powerhouse is essential for a fulfilling and healthy life.
By adopting a proactive approach to prostate health, making informed lifestyle choices, and seeking timely medical care, men can reduce their risk of prostate-related conditions and maintain optimal prostate function.
It is therefore important to prioritise its protection and care as a healthy prostate is a cornerstone of a man’s overall well-being.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
