New Ningo (GAR), Dec. 23, GNA - Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health, on Thursday cautioned Ghanaians against the excessive intake of animal protein to avoid cancers.

He pointed out that the incidence of breast cancer was high in countries people ate more animal protein.

Maj. Quashigah was speaking at a charity Polo Challenge Cup tournament held at the Copra Cove Centre, New Ningo in the Greater Accra Region, to raise funds for the Joyce Tamakloe Memorial Cancer Foundation.

Chiefs, top executives of corporate bodies and others were at the tournament, which was also to create breast cancer awareness in the country and raise funds for institutions engaged in the research of the ailment.

He advised people to lead healthy lifestyles and to eat balanced plant diets to boost the body's immune system and cells against all forms of cancer.

The Minister of Health called for a shift in healthcare delivery with emphasis on sanitation, portable water, good nutrition and regular physical exercise.

Maj. Quashigah pointed out that the country would create more worth if the people were able to prevent communicable diseases instead of spending the nation's scares resources in treating them. Ms Joyce Aryee, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, appealed to the public to contribute generously into the fund to cater for cancer victims. She noted that the early detection and treatment of breast cancer was low and called for more education about the disease. 23 Dec 05