Be man enough to take prostate test, Jamaicans urged
published:
Monday | April 7, 2008
Earl Jarrett, chairman of the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS), is encouraging Jamaican men to be more proactive about their health by taking advantage of the tests available to prevent prostate cancer.
Jarrett, who was speaking yesterday during a JCS thanksgiving service at Sts Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church on Old Hope Road, St Andrew, said that despite the many strides made by the body in its 53 years of existence, much more work was needed to persuade Jamaican men to get tested for prostate abnormalities.
He said that Jamaica currently records one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, and that the disease is among the top killers of black men.
'Fear factor'
It is widely proposed that this is fuelled by what is known as the 'fear factor', as many Jamaican men are not only hesitant when it comes to having a digital rectal examination (DRE), but are also fearful of being diagnosed with cancer.
"I think it's a twofold issue," psychiatrist Dr Wendel Abel told The Gleaner yesterday. "I suppose another component must be homophobia," he added.
During the DRE, a health professional puts a lubricated, gloved finger of one hand into the rectum to check for problems with organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower abdomen.
Abel conceded that most Jamaican men may fear this examination as they associate the procedure with homosexuality.
"(The thought) of having another person inserting their finger inside their anus can be very stressing for some men and makes them uncomfortable," he said.
The other factor, said Abel, may also be the fear of being diagnosed with prostate cancer or any life-threatening disease.
"I suppose in much the same way that we do pre-test counselling for persons who are going to get their HIV test, I would imagine pre-test counselling would probably motivate people to get cancer testing as well," he said.
He said this would serve to allay most people's anxieties and allow them to think clearly about their options should they get a positive result.
Jarrett noted that Jamaica continued to record very high levels of cervical and breast cancer among women.
Probable causes
High animal-fat diet
Family history
Race (black men have an increased risk)
Exposure to heavy metals, particularly cadmium, radiators or pesticides
- In the early stages, prostate cancer usually has no symptoms so do not wait until you have a problem to get tested
What to look out for
Painful urination
Weak or interrupted flow
Hesitancy
Urinary frequency often at night
Difficulty starting or stopping urine
Pain in the lower back, groin, between the scrotum and rectum or upper thighs
Loss of erection
Constipation or altered bowel habits.
For further information, call the Jamaica Cancer Society at 927-4265.
