200 men to benefit from free prostate cancer screening

…with aid of new technology

In an effort to reduce the number of cancer-related deaths locally, the Guyana Cancer Foundation has embarked on a new project whereby 200 men will be able to benefit from free prostate cancer screening beginning today.
The process will be done via a new type of screening which was launched at GTT’s Pinktober.
This was related by the founder of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Bibi Hassan during an interview with Guyana Times on Monday.
According to her, the new screening programme – the Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) will replace the physical test. With the PSA, a blood sample will be taken and tested for cancer.
Hassan said that the Foundation continued in its quest, with the help of its major sponsors – GTT; Scotiabank; Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI); Twins Manufacturing Chemists and several others.
According to Hassan, the screening is applicable to men 35 years and older. She informed that the men would be required to have a brief interview with her before a decision is made whether they were actually in need of the screening. Hassan did, however, point out that men would not be turned down because of their financial ability since the Foundation was there to assist everyone.
Men who are interested in having themselves screened for the dreaded disease can contact the founder on 618-2085 or visit the newly-commissioned office at Lot 9 Third Avenue and Sheriff Street, Subryanville, Georgetown Monday to Friday between 11:00h and 17:30h.
The screening programme is being done in collaboration with the Woodlands Hospital. The cost for a prostate cancer screening is usually about $12,000 at other locations in the country. Hassan informed that this screening programme would continue until the Foundation reached its 200-person target.
In addition to this programme for men, the Foundation also has an ongoing breast cancer screening for 200 women; close to 100 women have already taken advantage of the service.
Last month was dedicated to prostate cancer awareness, while October has been dubbed Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the world.
According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data published in 2017, prostate cancer deaths in Guyana reached 89 or 1.54 per cent of total deaths. The age adjusted death rate is 44.40 per 100,000 persons, ranking Guyana at number 13 in the world.
A report from the Public Health Ministry back in 2014 showed that cancer was the third leading cause of mortality in Guyana with Ischemic Heart Diseases coming at second and Cerebrovascular Diseases at number one. Prostate, breast, lung and cervical cancers are the main categories affecting the Guyanese population.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the report shows that during the period 2004-2011, over 3400 persons died from various forms of cancer, with the largest number of deaths being 621 in 2011.
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate – a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
It is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.
When this type of cancer is detected early, or while it is still confined to the prostate gland, it has a better chance of successful treatment.
While it may show little or no symptoms in early stages, but trouble urinating, blood in semen and erectile dysfunction are a few of the serious warning signs men experience.