Fathers urged to adopt healthy lifestyles

Panellists who graced The Mirror Father’s Day Buffet Lunch have called on fathers to adopt healthy lifestyles.

That, they said, would make it easier for them to be treated whenever they suffer from life-threatening diseases. " lt is difficult treating prostate cancer when you have other forms of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, "a Consultant Urologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Yaw Amoah, said.

The discussion was on the theme: “Fit father, healthy family — A day with daddy". The other panellist was the team doctor of the senior male national football team, Dr Prince Pambo, while the discussion was moderated by the Corporate Communications Manager of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. (GCGL), Emmanuel Arthur.

Event

The Mirror Father’s Day Buffet Lunch was organised by the GCGL and sponsored by Oak Plaza Hotel, Woodin, AshFoam Ghana and X Men Ghana. The ticketed event offered a platform for an intimate talk on men's health to build a generation of healthy responsible fathers in catering for the family.

Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and shared their views on how to become healthy responsible fathers. Some also shared fond memories of their fathers and how helpful they had been to them.

There were lucky dips, which saw winners take home prizes from sponsors such as Woodin, and vouchers from X Men Ghana.

Panic

Dr Amoah encouraged fathers not to panic when they were told that they had a prostate enlargement issue, saying, " prostate grows as you grow, that’s how God made it." "It starts growing by age 40. The mere fact that your prostate is enlarged doesn't mean you have a disease. When it gives you complications and makes it difficult for you to urinate that is when there's a problem and you need medical attention," he said.

He said every black man was at risk of prostate cancer and it was important to start screening for at least once a year after age 40, explaining that people whose fathers had the disease should commence screening at age 35.

"Now, we are seeing prostate cancer in people in their mid-30s, getting it at a lower age than we expect. We do not know what causes it but what we know is that the risk, especially when you are black, is high.

 So we normally want people to screen early, because early detection can cure. We don't want people to come when they have the symptoms because at that time the disease has travelled far. Don't wait till you cannot urinate," he explained.

In his presentation, Dr Pambo said it was very important to inculcate physical activity into our daily lives as it was able to facilitate healing faster. "Exercising doesn't necessarily prevent disease or cancer but when you fall sick, the medicines work better because you are already helping yourself with some form of physical activity.

We encourage you to do the exercise with the medication and that will prevent further complications," he said. He cautioned that although fathers could involve in exercise at any age, they did not have to overwork themselves; a little activity such as brisk walking, when done well, would help them overcome these lifestyle diseases.

Editor

The Editor of The Mirror, Doreen Hammond, said the event was part of the brand's efforts to recognise fathers and the pivotal roles they played in shaping the family. "Their hard work has produced a better life for their children.  And then the narrative is changing with many present fathers. We appreciate the many sacrifices they have made," she said.