Editorial
Vaccinate boys, girls against cervical cancer
In the battle against cervical cancer, resident public health physician Dr. Victoria Partey-Newman has pushed for immunisation of both boys and girls.
It is the best approach, in her opinion, to stop the sickness from spreading. She asked that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine be made a part of the nation’s educational programme and given to both boys and girls starting at age nine in schools.
She claimed that doing so could help eradicate HPV and successfully lower the risk of infection in boys, as well as decrease transmission, boost immunity, and lessen problems linked to HPV.
According to her, among Ghanaian women aged 15 to 44, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer. She said that statistics indicate that 2,797 women receive a cervical cancer diagnosis annually, with 1,699 of those cases ending in death.
The numbers are concerning, but even more worrisome is the fact that males can catch HPV from infected women through sexual contact.
Male partners may also increase their female partners’ risk of developing cervical cancer, therefore this is serious.
The theme of this year’s World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month was “learn, prevent, screen,” and it was observed worldwide, including in Ghana.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) designates January, annually to promote immunisation against HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer, and to increase public awareness of the illness.
It is fitting that the WHO emphasises during this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month the significance of expanding access to HPV vaccinations, routine screening, and cutting-edge treatment for cervical cancer in its early stages.
Although previously the most frequent type of HPV-related cancer has been cervical cancer in women, data indicate that approximately 40 percent of cases of HPV-induced cancer also occur in men.
The Spectator concurs with the Resident Public Health Physician that boys and girls starting at age nine should receive the immunisation in schools.
Even though HPV-related cancers can typically be successfully treated, it is always preferable to avoid cancer than to treat it, which is why the HPV vaccine is such an effective tool in the fight against cancer.
When women have vaginal bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, or watery, odourous, and occasionally bloody vaginal discharges, we strongly advise them to follow medical advice and attend the hospital.
In addition, women need to undergo yearly screenings, abstain from smoking, limit the number of sexual partners they have, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise.
Reducing the incidence of cervical cancer by 2030 and ending the disease as a public health issue by 2120 require a common goal.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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