Prostate cancer is a health issue that Ghanaian men cannot afford to ignore.

According to GLOBOCAN 2022, prostate cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Ghana, accounting for 2,395 new cases that year.

Yet men's health conversations can still be difficult.

Many men spend their days dealing with work, business, family responsibilities and financial pressures. Health often becomes something to address only when a problem becomes impossible to ignore.

That needs to change.

Know your risk

Age is an important risk factor for prostate cancer. Family history can also increase risk, and men of African ancestry face a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

This does not mean every man will develop the disease. It means knowing your personal risk is important.

Don't ignore changes

Changes such as difficulty passing urine, persistent urinary problems or blood in the urine should not simply be dismissed as part of getting older.

These symptoms can have several causes and do not automatically mean prostate cancer. However, persistent or unusual changes deserve professional attention.

What about PSA testing?

PSA testing can be useful, but it is not a simple test that every man should automatically take without discussion.

Ghana's national cancer screening guidelines emphasise informed decision-making and appropriate clinical assessment rather than mass PSA screening.

The right starting point is a conversation with a qualified healthcare professional about your age, symptoms, family history and individual risk.

This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, don't wait for fear to start the conversation.

Know your risk. Know your body. Ask questions.