EDITORIAL

Role for men in cancer fight

While some men have been avid supporters of women fighting any form of cancer, most men often shy away from getting any checks done on themselves.

Whilst it can be said that a rise in prostate cancer and other cancers prevalent in men has heightened the awareness about the need for early detection and the need to be sensitive in general about these matters, it is clear that more men need to step forward and get tested, rather than waiting until it is too late, for any real action.

As pointed out recently by Dame Billie Miller, Champion of the Walk for the Cure which is being held by CIBC FirstCaribbean and the Barbados Cancer Society’s Breast Screening Programme on October 6th, 2019, men in Barbados need not shy away from getting the requisite tests for cancer. Pointing out that cancer deaths now account for 26% of all the deaths in Barbados, overtaking heart disease, she has sent an appeal to the men of Barbados to visit the Cancer Society’s building at Henry Lane, where the Breast Screening Programme is located, to get their checks early.

Dr. Shirley Hanoman-Jhagroo, Medical Coordinator of the Barbados Cancer Society (BCS) Breast Screening Programme, has meanwhile sought to shed some light on why men often shy away from getting the requisite cancer checks done. She has acknowledged that many men are not keen on having the digital rectal exam for prostate cancer and are afraid that if they test positive for cancer, they may lose their libido, after treatment.

“They are more conservative about how they are checked for prostate cancer” Dr. Jhagroo commented.

She however pointed out that if they are proactive and take the bull by the horns and have themselves checked every year, they can have an early diagnosis and can get treated early, for better outcomes. We acknowledge that any talk about a rectal or prostate exam is on the taboo list for many men, but men need to realise that this critical exam can be a life saver, literally.

That said, we must commend the Barbados Cancer Society for doing an excellent job in raising awareness about various cancers in Barbados and for working in front and behind the scenes, to deliver cancer support services to the people of Barbados. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has also been offering an array of services to assist cancer patients and of late, the focus has been on early detection. What is needed now is for the women and men of Barbados to take some responsibility for their care, by honing in on the messages being sent about leading healthy lifestyles, getting early heath checks and the like. And for those who are cancer survivors, they can share how they conquered their illness, all the while lending support to those battling cancer at the moment.

We still have a ways to go where the fight against cancer is concerned, but it appears that to date, we are making steps in the right direction, to help us make further headway in the fight. We just need to see more men coming on board, getting their health checks and playing a greater role in the cancer fight.

Barbados Advocate

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