Prioritise regular medical checkups for early detection of cancers - Josephine Oppong-Yeboah

Ghanaian media personality and gender advocate, Josephine Oppong-Yeboah, is calling on the public to make medical checkups a priority in their annual routines, emphasising that proactive health screenings can be life-saving.

"Knowing your health status is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a matter of life and death," she stated passionately, urging individuals to take control of their health journey.

She explained that early detection through regular screenings is crucial for managing conditions like prostate and breast cancers effectively.

"We must understand that many cancers, when caught early, can be treated successfully. The problem is that too many people wait until it’s too late," she said in an interview with Graphic Online on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

She expressed concern that many men and women often seek medical help for prostate and breast cancers only in the late stages, when treatment options are limited.

"It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their lives to conditions that could have been managed if only they had gone for a checkup sooner," she lamented.

With October marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ms. Oppong-Yeboah urged the public not to limit the conversation to just breast cancer but to broaden the scope to include all types of cancers.

"We need to expand the discussion beyond just breast cancer this month. Cancers don’t discriminate, and everyone should be aware of the risks," she noted.

She highlighted that many people in Ghana and beyond still have limited knowledge about various cancers, often associating the disease only with breast or prostate cancer.

"Cancers can affect any part of the body, and education is key. We need to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we can take action before it’s too late," she stressed.

Ms. Oppong-Yeboah also recommended that everyone should undergo comprehensive medical screening at least once a year, saying "One checkup a year could be the difference between life and death."

For her, such screenings would help individuals identify potential health issues early and take the necessary steps for treatment.

She raised concerns about the growing trend of people dying from preventable conditions, pointing out that "Too many people are losing their lives to illnesses that could have been avoided or treated if only they sought help earlier."

Addressing the issue of fear, Ms Oppong-Yeboah urged, "Fear should not be the reason you avoid the doctor. It’s better to know your status and take action than to wait until it’s too late."