Physician Assistant Urges Public to Overcome Fear, Myths Surrounding Cancer Treatment
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
A Physician Assistant, David Takyi, has raised concerns about limited access to essential diagnostic services, particularly CT scans, which he says is preventing many Ghanaians from receiving timely testing for conditions such as pancreatic diseases.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Takyi explained that overcrowding at tertiary health facilities and the high cost of diagnostic tests are making it difficult for patients to undergo routine or precautionary examinations.
“It’s not just pancreatic cancer patients who need CT scans or lab tests. We’ve all noticed the influx of clients into tertiary facilities. Most of the time, even regular checkups cannot be done because there are so many emergency cases,” he stressed.
He added that many patients dismiss early symptoms or avoid recommended tests because of cost constraints, even when health professionals advise them to undergo scans to rule out serious conditions.
“In Ghana, someone might come in with stomach pain or reflux and immediately assume something serious. Even when a practitioner recommends a test just to be safe, many cannot afford it because the price is high, even at government facilities,” he said.
Beyond cost barriers, he noted that the long queues for CT scans also discourage patients.
Mr. Takyi believes the solution lies in expanding diagnostic capacity across the country.
“Getting more of these facilities, not just in government hospitals or tertiary centres, would help people regularly check their pancreatic health and other conditions,” he said.
The Physician Assistant called for greater public education on cancer, warning that widespread fear, misconceptions and cultural beliefs are preventing many Ghanaians from seeking timely treatment.
Mr. Takyi also noted that the mere mention of the word “cancer” often leaves patients devastated even before they receive proper medical guidance.
“In this country, the name cancer alone puts a person in a very devastating state. People have their own ideas about what cancer is,” he said.
He explained that these fears often discourage patients from accepting life-saving interventions.
“Some patients don’t even want to go for chemotherapy because of myths and suspicions about the therapy,” he said.
According to Mr. Takyi, a lack of awareness about the disease leads many patients to ignore early symptoms or dismiss prescribed treatments, assuming doctors may be wrong or that the illness is not serious.
The Physician acknowledged that cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be demanding and come with difficult side effects, which can heighten fear among patients. However, he stressed that these treatments significantly improve survival chances when started early.
