Front view of SGMC, Accra
Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors and it is one of the dreaded diseases facing mankind today. However, oncologists posit that early diagnosis before it spreads in the human body is a major factor in the treatment of cancer. Godwin Haruna writes
Cancer is a disease that has been ravaging the world with a heavy toll without regard to race or status. Although experts describe the ailment as dangerous due to its destructive capacity in the human body, they also contend that the disease can be tamed with frequent health checks, which could reveal its existence. They noted that once a test reveals it at the early stage, treatment could commence immediately to deal with it.
Describing how the disease begins its destructive journey in the human body, an oncologist with the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, Accra, Dr. Clement Edusa stated that tumors could grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Edusa stated that tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.
“More dangerous, or malignant, tumors form when two things occur; a cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymph systems, destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion. That cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis.
“When a tumor successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a serious condition that is very difficult to treat,” Edusa stated.
He stated that research has shown that cancers are more aggressive in Africa. He counselled that routine medical checks to allow for early diagnosis before it spreads to other parts of the body remains a key factor in the treatment of cancer. He added the causes of the disease range from lifestyle and genetic predisposition and gave the assurance that in whatever form it appears, if noticed early, it could be well handled at the Accra Centre and the patient could live a productive lifestyle thereafter.
Offering his own perspective, a consultant in radiation oncology at the Accra Centre, Dr. Jens Engelson said cancer, also called malignancy, is an abnormal growth of cells. Engelson added that there are more than 100 types of cancer, including prostate cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and lymphoma, among others. He said symptoms vary depending on the type. He added that cancer treatment might include chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.
Engelson said the Accra centre, which is a joint venture between Swedish and Ghanaian businessmen, is affiliated with like-centres in Europe where referral could be initiated in the event of complex cases. He revealed that the centre also boasts of excellent equipment comparable to similar facilities elsewhere in the world.
Also speaking on the issue of how best to manage cancer, Chief Executive Officer of the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre, Mr. Joshua Tetteh stated that the centre covers the full range of cancer specialties and utilises state-of-the-art equipment and the treatment techniques to provide quality radiation treatment. In addition, he said the centre utilises modern virtual simulation and CT-based 3D treatment planning capabilities aimed at precisely targeting tumors while avoiding undesirable radiation delivery to normal tissues.
“50 % of patients who are cured from their cancer owe it completely or partly to radiotherapy. At SGMC, we are fully dedicated to providing you with the best medical care and customer service,” Tetteh added.
He disclosed that from statistics available to the facility, quite a number of cancer patients go to India, Egypt and Turkey and a minimum of between 500 to 1000 go to India alone every month translating to about two million dollars capital flight from the sub-region to the Asian country. According to him, it was the quest to find a solution to the scourge of cancer, which is decimating the population that the SGMC was founded to cater for the citizens of the West African sub-region.
“Quality of care is guaranteed with the availability of experienced Ghanaian and international medical staff from well-endowed international institutions. SGMC has come in time to help solve the region’s need for private oncology services. In order to support an infrastructure like a cancer centre, you need 24-hour power supply, an enabling environment, the atomic energy permission and other support structures because cancer treatment requires lot of efforts and logistics. The facility is fully equipped with a high caliber of human resources sourced from around the world and modern equipment. We are situated on the majestic hill overlooking the new Lakeside Community and offer access to accommodations for patients and family. We also provide top level meals and beverages for day patients in our café,” Tetteh said.
With abject poverty prevalent in the sub-region, he added that the objective of the promoters of the centre is to deliver excellent diagnostic and treatment in combination with high efficiency and competitive pricing. He stated that in over two years of operation, most of the patients had come neighbouring West African countries of Togo, Benin and Nigeria. To date, he said the centre had seen about 1604 cases with an average of 50 patients monthly.
One of the patients in his middle age said to have been treated at the centre and now free from the crisis of the aliment, Mr. Osei-Wiafe Akenten said a routine health check at his company’s health centre had revealed that he was prone to an enlargement of the prostate. With that diagnosis, Akenten said he was preparing to go to a facility in Europe to seek treatment before a programme he watched on television revealed the existence of the Accra centre. At the SGMC where he was taken, his fears were confirmed after a check. He then opted to undergo treatment at the Centre because the cost of treatment abroad was much higher.
Giving credence to the fact that the disease could be genetically predisposed, he revealed that his father and maternal uncle had died of the disease. “However, luckily for me, as at the time I was diagnosed, it had not spread to other parts of my body, so it was possible for me to undergo a successful treatment,” Akenten said.
The man who is no longer on medication after his treatment at the centre said he was asked to report back for follow-up checks after three months. He said the experience of cancer could be agonising given the treatment regimen. In his estimation, the high mortality related to the disease is majorly because of the expensive nature of treatment. He said no average man could afford the treatment unless supported either by the government or other philanthropic individuals and organisations.
Besides the issues of cost, SGMC public relations and marketing director, Korkor Agboka gives a glimpse of what awaits a prospective patient at the centre: “You will be treated with respect, consideration and courtesy. You will receive friendly and efficient service from a staff member dedicated to client service. You will be given a clear description of your medical condition, and, you will be informed of the proposed plan of treatment. You will be informed as to what charges may be incurred before investigations, or treatment are performed. You will be provided with medical advice and treatment which fully meet international standards of quality and care. You will be treated by nursing and medical staff who are trained in the latest and patient care techniques. You will receive investigations and treatment with the most modern medical equipment, which is fully, properly and regularly maintained. You will receive care in a comfortable facility with uncompromising levels of cleanliness and hygiene. Your medical records will be kept in the strictest confidence. Your comments and complaints will be listened to and dealt with in a fair and prompt manner.”
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