Cervical cancer continues to be the second leading cause of death among women in Ghana according to a public health physician, Dr Jeffrey Amissah.

This is despite it being one of the most preventable cancers. It has also been discovered that most of those diagnosed, silently endure the condition, underscoring the urgent need for friendly and effective intervention.

This critical issue was highlighted at the launch of a cervical cancer project by the Rotary Club of Accra, Dansoman.

The initiative will focus on training healthcare professionals and raising awareness about cervical cancer. It will ensure significant steps in tackling this preventable disease are implemented.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Jeffrey Amissah, emphasised the alarming prevalence of cervical cancer and its far-reaching impact on both genders.

“Cervical cancer only affects women and is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which can also cause conditions like genital warts in both genders. In Ghana, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, after breast cancer. It is treatable when detected early,” he said.

In outlining the objectives of the project, Vice President of the Rotary Club of Accra Dansoman, Ekow Budu-Manuel said, “This project addresses cervical cancer, which affects around three thousand women in Ghana, with half of them dying.

"We are training ten nurses at a health post in Bato, Volta region, from the 4th to the 18th of February 2025. After the training, the nurses will be equipped with machines to detect cervical cancer.”

As one of the most preventable cancers, cervical cancer should not claim so many lives.

The launch of this project aligns with Rotary’s broader mission of disease prevention and health promotion. It is a crucial step in addressing the growing concern of cervical cancer in Ghana.