Healthy lifestyles could prevent cancers – ACO
Mr Paul Opoku-Agyemang, Executive Director of African Cancer Organisation, has said a healthy and changed lifestyle could prevent one-third of cancers.
“By changing the food we eat to healthy choices with more fruits and vegetables, exercising, maintaining a normal body weight and having regular vaccination we can prevent one third of cancers,” he said.
He made the observation at the celebration of world cancer day held at the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Accra.
Mr Opoku-Agyemang said: “The aim of World cancer Day celebration is to sensitize Ghanaians about cancer prevention, pledge leaders to promote cancer prevention especially at their respective workplaces and also as change agents in our society”.
He said the ACO engaged the Ministry of Trade and Industry to mark the world cancer day to enable them reach out to executive directors of various organizations to promote cancer and organize periodic educational and screening intervention for their staff.
Dr Ekow Spio Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, said the day provided a unique opportunity to raise awareness noting that 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which, 4 million people die prematurely (aged 30 to 69 years).
He said the Ministry was aware of the intrinsic linkages between industry, environmental pollution and the prevalence of cancer and also the import and dumping of high risk goods.
“Even the continued exposure to some toxins after industrial waste poisoning has a link to certain forms of cancers,” the Minister said pledging the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency in evaluating the environmental impact assessment conducted by industries.
Dr Spio-Garbrah said an industrial policy being implemented sought to build the capacity of industries to reduce waste and to support occupational health and safety.
The African Cancer Organization (ACO) is a non-governmental, non-political, not-for-profit cancer organization that promotes prevention, early detection and intervention of cancer in Ghana.
ACO usually organizes awareness campaigns that brings industry leaders, civil society organizations, opinion leaders and other influential persons to take action against cancer.
Source: GNA