Consultant Urologist at the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Dr. Isaac Asiedu, has urged Ghanaian men, especially those above 40, to undergo annual prostate cancer screening to ensure early detection and treatment.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show as part of Joy Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Asiedu explained that prostate cancer remains one of the most common cancers among men in Ghana and across Africa.
“The prostate is an organ found only in men. It helps in reproduction by producing essential nutrients and fluid for the sperm to swim and fertilise the egg,” he said.
“It’s about the size of a lemon, located just below the bladder, and as men grow older, the prostate also grows.”
He explained that cancer occurs when “cells in any part of the body grow abnormally without following the normal process of growth and death.”
Dr. Asiedu clarified that prostate cancer is not the same as an enlarged prostate, noting that “many diseases can affect the prostate — infections, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, and enlargement — but cancer is one of the most serious.”
According to him, black men are at a higher risk, adding that “people of African descent are being diagnosed with the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer.”
He said that the early stages of prostate cancer usually have no symptoms, which makes regular testing crucial.
“Prostate cancer in its early stage does not have any symptoms at all. You will not know you have it. The moment you start seeing symptoms, it might already be advanced,” he warned.
The urologist explained that a simple blood test, called the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, can help detect early changes.
“PSA testing is simple. A small blood sample is taken and checked biochemically to see whether the prostate-specific antigen level is normal. The normal range is between zero and four. Anything higher must be investigated,” he explained.
However, he said that a high PSA level alone does not confirm cancer. “It only tells the doctor that something is going on within the prostate and must be evaluated further,” he added.
Dr. Asiedu urged men with a family history of prostate or breast cancer to start testing even earlier — from age 35 — since such men have a higher risk.
“If your father or brother has had prostate cancer, or your mother has had breast or ovarian cancer, start testing earlier. The same BRCA gene that affects those cancers is also found in prostate cancer,” he explained.
He advised all men above 40 to take the PSA test annually. “Every black man should do a PSA test once a year and show it to their physician. Early testing can save your life,” he added.
Dr. Asiedu encouraged men not to fear prostate checks, describing the examination process as simple and not painful.
“It’s not as uncomfortable as people think. Once you go through it, you’ll testify to others that it’s not as bad as it’s made to sound,” he said.
“There is hope for prostate cancer, but the key is early testing. Don’t wait for symptoms before getting checked.”
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