All men who are more than 40 years have been advised to once in a year test for prostate cancer since the disease mainly affects such category of men especially, those with family history.
"Early diagnosis is essential because the spread is very fast though it takes a long time for the symptoms to show, probably when one is over 60 years," Dr Seth Adjetey of the 37 Military Hospital told delegates of the Ghana Mineworkers Union (GMWU) of Trade Union Congress.
The more than 130 union delegates from all over the country are attending the two-day national executive council meeting to access the union's performance, the plight of the industry, the growth pattern and to address inherent difficulties.
Dr Adjetey who also gave a talk on diabetes and hypertension said Africans were more at risk of prostate cancer than white people and that fatty food could be an attribute of contracting the disease.
He advised men to eat more fruits and vegetables but stressed that the best way of preventing the disease was early testing.
Mr Prince William Ankrah, General Secretary of the Union, said the meeting was an annual programme which afforded members the opportunity to review past activities and see how best to champion the welfare of members.
Mr Robert Asamoah Gyekye, Head, Business Unit, GMWU, said members would be introduced to a savings and loan scheme that would be introduced next year to serve as a micro-loan facility for the mineworkers.
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