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.
Latest Stories
-
Western Region: NDC youth wing embarks on phase 2 of ‘retail campaign’
24 mins -
Action Chapel International holds annual Impact Convention in November
24 mins -
Jana Foundation urges young women to take up leadership roles
29 mins -
All set for Joy FM Prayer Summit for Peace 2024
40 mins -
Managing Prediabetes with the Help of a Dietitian
59 mins -
Joy FM listeners criticise Achiase Commanding Officer’s election comment
1 hour -
Legal Aid Commission employees threaten strike over poor working conditions
1 hour -
Ghana ranked 7th globally as biggest beneficiary of World Bank funding
2 hours -
IMF board to disburse $360m to Ghana in December after third review
2 hours -
Former Bono Regional NPP organiser donates 13 motorbikes to 12 constituencies
2 hours -
Securities industry: Assets under management estimated at GH¢81.7bn in quarter 3, 2024
2 hours -
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation challenges graduates to maximise benefits of community apprenticeship programme
3 hours -
GBC accuses Deputy Information Minister Sylvester Tetteh of demolishing its bungalow illegally
4 hours -
Boost for education as government commissions 80 projects
4 hours -
NAPO commissions library to honour Atta-Mills’ memory
4 hours