Cancer cases among teachers on the rise  …GNAT raises concern

Christian Adinkra, a Board Member of the Cancer Foundation

The increasing cases of can­cer patients in the country, particularly among teachers, has become a major concern for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).

Officials of GNAT are worried about the increasing number of its members suffering from cancer, as data at the GNAT Cancer Foun­dation (GCF) revealed that GNAT cancer patients at the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre is 2,666 out of which 2,388 are in active ser­vice and 278 are retirees.

A Board Member of GCF and Ma­dina-Adenta-Abokobi District GNAT Chairman, Mr Christian Adinkra, who made this known during an education programme in Ho on the devastating effects of can­cer, stressed the need for regular screening for early detection and treatment.

According to Mr Adinkra, cancer cases were on the increase among teachers and with depletion of funds, there is the need to prior­itise preventive education, treat­ment, and management sustain­ability.

He said currently, members of GNAT contribute GH¢5 a month to the Cancer Fund, which he ob­served was not sufficient in view of the increasing cost of treatment and management of cancer.

Mr Adinkra announced that in the Volta Region, the cases of cancer have shot up among teachers in the Ho District, Akatsi-North and the Hohoe Municipality.

“This should be a matter of con­cern to all. Regular screening re­mains the only solution to address the challenge,” he added.

The Chairperson of the Ho Dis­trict of GNAT, which comprises of the Ho Municipality, Adaklu Dis­trict, Agortime-Ziope District and the Ho-West District,

Ms Lois Tipong-Asare explained that teachers willingly visit the district office in Ho, to inform the office that they have cancer for the necessary support, which he attributed to regular education on the disease.

Ms Tipong-Asare explained that the beneficiaries of GCF are teach­ers and their spouses, two children under the age of 18 years and teachers who went on retirement from 2022.

She said as a result of regular ed­ucation on the disturbing effects of cancer, many teachers and non-teachers were willing­ly checking their status through regular screening.

Ms Tipong-Asare said screening for cancer was not only meant for women but men as well because some men also suffer from breast can­cer, and added that men during screening for can­cer could be diagnosed with prostate cancer for early treatment.

From Samuel Agbewode, Ho