Leukemia cases on the rise
Available statistics have indicated a rise in leukaemia cases in the country. In 2005, the number of cases recorded among adults was 220. However, in 2007, another study revealed that the number had increased from 220 in 2005 to 250.
In this vein, experts have begun deliberations on how to curtail the rising leukaemia cases in the country with a public lecture to educate the public on the dangers and risk factors of the disease.
The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana’s premier hospital is currently the only centre that manages and treats patients with leukaemia.
Leukemia is the cancer of the blood caused by abnormal growth of cells in the blood.
Last October, Dr Andre Kwesi Kumah of the Eden Family Clinic, expressed worry over the difficulty doctors go through to get matching bone morrow during transplant for leukemia patients in the country.
He attributed the difficulty to the differences in the genes found in human beings and lack of facilities to preserve bone marrow in the country.
Though there are no causes of leukemia, the disease has some risk factors including radiation, exposure to chemicals and aging. It has also been noted that some signs associated with the disease include easy bruising, bleeding excessively, or pinprick development bleeds. In other cases, symptoms can be very much flu-like.
Several strategies are being employed to create awareness on leukaemia and these include public awareness lectures, where the disease leukaemia is explained.
An individual with leukaemia may also be susceptible to more infections as immune system tends not to function normally.
There is no one specific cause for leukemia. It is, therefore, important that health is maintained by following normal health regiments, including exercising and eating well.
Bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy are some of the ways of treating a patient suffering from leukemia.
As more awareness is created, the question now is how ready is the Ghana Health Service for a possible increase in leukaemia cases in Ghana?
By: Akosua Asare, e.tv Ghana
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