Dr. Elijah Abakah-Quansah, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist at SDA Hospital in Sunyani, has urged women, particularly young girls, to refrain from engaging in multiple sexual partnerships, as it is a primary cause of contracting cervical cancer. He emphasized that the disease is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse and encouraged women to undergo regular screening for early detection and vaccination.
He shared this guidance during a seminar on cervical cancer, attended by over 70 female staff and tenants of the Sunyani Regional Office of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), aimed at enhancing their understanding of the disease and its detrimental impact on their health.
He elaborated on the seriousness of the disease, highlighting that it ranks as the second most common form of cancer in women and can be emotionally taxing for patients. The seminar, conducted in collaboration with the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital in Sunyani, aimed to equip participants with the knowledge to detect the disease at its early stages to prevent complications. Furthermore, it aimed to promote the habit of regular screening for early detection and vaccination against the disease among women.
The seminar also aimed to emphasize to the public, especially women, that while the World Health Organization (WHO) designates January each year for raising awareness about cervical cancer, education on the disease should be an ongoing effort.
Speaking to journalists after the seminar last Wednesday, Dr. Abakah-Quansah emphasized that contracting cervical cancer is not a death sentence. He clarified that the disease is treatable, as several patients have been successfully treated at the hospital and other healthcare facilities across the country.
“We have had cases that were successfully treated here in Sunyani,” he added.
“It’s not a death sentence, especially if diagnosed early; we can perform surgery to provide a cure. Even if discovered at an advanced stage, there are still treatment options or management strategies available,” he stated.
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