It is estimated that by 2020, the number of people in the world suffering from cancer would have shot up to 15 million from 10 million in 2000, due to lack of preventive measures to stop the spread disease.
Addressing participants after a walk to create more awareness on the disease, on Saturday, Professor Edwin Wiredu, Executive Director of Cancer Society of Ghana, cited developing countries as those with the highest number of people suffering from cancer.
He mentioned smoking, obesity, poor life styles and the lack of resources for early
detection of the disease as the main causes and cited breast, cervical, liver and prostate
cancers as some of the types in the area.
Professor Wiredu said it was pathetic that at least one woman in Ghana dies everyday from a cancer related disease and urged all to embrace early detection checkups because it is the cheapest way of treating it.
He said the Association, which was formed five years ago, had a membership of about 700 across the country and had put in place the needed measures to embark on a vigorous education campaign next year.
He appealed to the Government, Civil Society Organizations and every Ghanaian to show more interest in the disease as it was killing people at an alarming rate.
Some of the placards of the participants read, "Cancer Screening: 1st Step Against Cancer prevention;" "Eat Plenty of Whole Grain Foods Per Day;" "Liver Cancer Kills a lot of Ghanaians;" and "Pass No Tobacco Bill Now."