More screening for prostate cancer needed – public health official

Men’s health

By Shemuel Fanfair

Evan as the World Health Organisation has posited that cancer is one of the leading causes of death, many men often neglect the screening process for prostate cancer.
This is according to the Public Health Ministry’s Men’s Health Coordinator, Dr Dennis Bassier who at a recent health fair stated that it is important for men to undergo prostate screening.
It was explained that the Public Health Ministry recently established the Men’s Health unit in order to bring awareness to the issues which affect men so they can make choices to live healthier lives.
“Men’s health is now coming on stream, and one of the main things we face is getting men sensitised on their issues as it relates to their prostate; especially since the prostate is an organ specific to the male population,” expressed Dr Bassier at the Health Fair.
“Prostate cancer is quite prevalent but a lot of men are not getting checked on a regular basis; as you get on in age, it starts to become more important in your life,” he noted.
“Having regular prostate screenings, the rectal exam, your PSA [Prostate-specific antigen] which is a blood test that can be done to alert you whether something is going on with your prostate or not, getting into a healthcare facility and seeing your doctor with relation to your prostate [are] very important,” the doctor stressed. He also explained that the screening process is simple and should not be feared.
“We go in through the rectum with a little glove and lubricated finger of course and the doctor feels your prostate to figure out if it’s enlarged, if it has any nodules, if its irregularly shaped – from that you can have an idea if something is wrong with the prostate,” he posited. It has been said that some males find the examination uneasy; however the Men’s Health coordinator emphasised that it is in the best interest of men to get screened. “That’s in your own best interest, because the blood test does not tell you if you have prostate cancer; there’s the ultra-sound that can be done but that does not tell you if you have prostate cancer; you can get to the “fine needle” which is ultimate to figure out whether your cells are cancerous or not,” he posited.
The doctor explained that men from about 40 years old should have a prostate exam done yearly and noted that hereditary issues suggests that you start screening earlier because “you are at a greater disposition of being affected by prostate cancer”.
Dr Bassier said this test can be done at health facilities, health posts and hospitals as well. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells, which can invade and spread to distant sites of the body and can have severe health consequences. More than 30 per cent of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors. Early detection and diagnosis, and effective treatment help to increase cancer survival rates and reduce suffering. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.