Audio By Carbonatix
Paul Opoku Agyemang, the Executive Director of the African Cancer Organization, a non-governmental organisation has advised Ghanaians not to eat foods contaminated with aflatoxins to minimise their risks of getting cancer.
The more aflatoxins one consumed, the higher they increased their chances of getting cancer, Mr Agyemang said, at a workshop for staff of the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
The training was part of the Organization’s series of sensitization programmes using data, to promote cancer prevention through awareness creation and screening.
Scientists say aflatoxins, is a member of the toxin family produced by some type a type of fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as poorly dried maize (corn), groundnuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.
The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world.
The awareness creation, therefore, seeks to help avoid exposure to things that could cause cancer as well as help early detection for effective treatment.
He said foods that contained Aflatoxins caused liver cancer which was infectious, contagious and communicable.
The Executive Director explained that cancers, which are simply abnormal growth in various parts of the body were caused by factors including biological, geographical, social, political or cultural factors, saying that their names were derived according to where the growth would occur.
Mr Agyemang classified cancer as chemical (exposure to unhealthy diets, medical, nuclear), biological (family, aging, childbearing) and physical (consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco) and carcinogens.
Mr Agyemang said people's lifestyles such as eating unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption, drugs, and intake of tobacco among others had led to an increase in cancer cases.
Mr Agyemang mentioned some of the common cancers in Ghana as breast, cervical, colon, rectum, ovarian, adding that more people were dying from such cancers.
He attributed the deaths, which were high in developing countries to poverty.
He explained that due to urbanisation, people have little time for themselves thus, they relied mostly on processed foods which contained preservatives that increased their risk of developing the disease.
"They end up not eating well, not being physically active and above all put on weight," he stated.
He noted that one-third of cancers were curable if they were reported on time whilst between 30 and 50 percent could be avoided with a healthy lifestyle.
He called for support to establish a Ghana National Population-Based Cancer Registry (GPCR) to enhance control of the disease in the country.
This he said was important as it would abstract data on persons with cancer in order to provide complete, accurate and timely cancer reports for interventional programmes.
Mr Baffour, the Administrative Manager of the GNA, commended the team for empowering the staff with invaluable information, adding that it would go a long way to help them live healthy lifestyles.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
KATH nurses set to join doctors’ strike over suspension directive
25 minutes -
Mahama explores Belarus agro-industrial hub, seeks partnerships to boost Ghana’s food security
45 minutes -
Gov’t activates flood response measures, cites human activities as major cause
52 minutes -
Recurring June floods show institutional failure and lack of accountability – Victoria Bright
3 hours -
Dr. Bawumia congratulates new Christian Council leadership; pledges continued cooperation
3 hours -
Changes to anti-LGBTQ+ bill could undermine enforcement – Ntim Fordjour
3 hours -
Accra Floods: GNFS rescues 21 residents in Doblo Gonno
3 hours -
Davida Roofing Systems CEO named among 100 Legendary African Dignitaries for 2026
3 hours -
Speaker Bagbin breaks ground on Wa Palace project, tells “detractors” Wa won’t be zongo
4 hours -
On Ghana’s Oti River, a weather forecast can mean survival
4 hours -
Ntim Fordjour urges NDC to back revised anti-LGBTQ+ bill, demands consistency on assent
4 hours -
Ghana prepared to prevent Ebola outbreak despite no recorded case – Deputy Health Minister
4 hours -
GMA supports KATH doctors strike over CEO suspension – demands reinstatement within 3 days
4 hours -
It’s not govt’s business to use ID cards to control people’s consumption of porn – Kofi Bentil
6 hours -
NDC dismisses reports of cabinet reshuffle, urges public to verify information
7 hours