HENRY DJABA MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

Statement on World Cancer Day

The effects of cancer are really devastating. The first reaction to a diagnosis of cancer is often acute
shock. After shock, comes fear and anxiety set in. Then you ask the question, “why me?” Acceptance
of the condition is not very easy among people who are diagnosed with cancer and adjusting to the
changes that occur from ill health can be considerably difficult.
So, it is absolutely important to get a clinical psychologist to provide counselling. Cancer is among the
leading cause of death worldwide. Do you know that cancer, is ranked as the leading cause of death
followed by HIV AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in that order? The global rapid increases of Cancer
cases are very disturbing and worrisome.
World Cancer Day is today, 4th February of every year. The Union for International Cancer Control
(UICC) in collaboration with the United Nation has set aside this day to observe and raise awareness,
offer prevention solutions, fraternize with persons living with Cancer and offer messages of solidarity.
As a disability and gender focused organization, the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation (HDMF) with an
enduring mission of working towards the transformation of persons with disability and gender, is
concerned about the increasing cases of cancer in Ghana. HDMF takes this opportunity to make a
passionate appeal to all Ghanaians to adopt healthy lifestyles devoid of tobacco, excessive alcohol, poor
diet, and lack of exercise.
Available latest data by World Health Organization through its International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) shows that,
 Globally, the burden of cancer is estimated to have risen to 18.1 million new cases.
 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018 and 21.7 million cancer cases will be recorded in 2030.
 The total number of people who are alive within 5 years of a cancer diagnosis, which is normally
called the 5years prevalence, is 43.8 million.
 In 6 deaths about 1 is as a result of cancer.
 17 people also die every minute worldwide according to WHO.
Cancer patient undergoing treatment
In Ghana, it was estimated in 2018 that, 16,600 cases of cancer occur annually. This means an age-
standardized rate of 109.5 cases per hundred thousand persons. The most frequent Cancers in men are:
 Cancer of the Liver
 Prostrate
 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
 Stomach and Colorectal.
In women, the most frequent Cancers are:
 Cervix Cancer
 Breast Cancer
 Liver Cancer
 Ovary and
 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Cancer does not spare the young either. In recent times, alarmingly, there have been cancer
related casualties among young persons in Ghana due to behavioral and dietary lifestyles.

Is having cancer a disability? YES. Because disability is defined as any condition of the body or mind that
makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the
world around them. Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body
tissue and at its worst stages makes a person disabled. Blaming yourself, somebody or God, feeling of
loneliness, isolation, dejection, rejection and pain are common amongst the patients of cancer. Please
take action by caring, visiting, helping, supporting cancer patients and persons with disability. The theme
for this year’s World Cancer Day is “I AM and I WILL. Share this story in your capacity to act in the face
of cancer.

#WorldCancerDay2020
#BeatCancer
#TobaccoFreeWorld

Signed
Otiko Afisah Djaba
Executive Director