Prostate cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Jamaican adult males; an issue that is highlighted each September when this disease takes centre stage and its effects, treatment and prevention strategies are brought to the fore.

To bring additional awareness to the disease, OBSERVER ONLINE spoke with Dr Jodie Taylor-Graham, Consultant Haematologist-Medical Oncologist, who shed some light on prostate cancer, and what needs to be done to lower the mortality rate of the disease that affects many Jamaican men.

“Prostate cancer is cancer occurring in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is located below or at the base of the bladder and is an organ found only in men. The main function is to help in the production of seminal fluid,” Dr Taylor- Graham explained.

She added that black men are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer and therefore testing should be done the recommended number of times for men aged 40 and over.

“Locally screening for prostate cancer is recommended yearly for men starting at age 40. This is due to the fact that black men have been found to have more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and are at a greater chance of dying from prostate cancer than Caucasians,” she added.

She stated that as of 2020, prostate cancer presented as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males in Jamaica and it was the second leading cause globally.

When asked why the mortality rate for prostate cancer was so high, Dr Taylor-Graham explained that it is often due to the fact that some men visit the doctor when the cancer is in its late stages.

“Black men have been found to present for care at a more advanced stage than other races. This is due in part to differences in health-seeking behaviours where medical care may be sought late after symptoms have started. There is the fear amongst our men of having a digital rectal examination and generally a lack of knowledge on the benefits of early screening and early diagnosis,” the oncologist explained.

She told OBSERVER ONLINE that some socio-economic factors may also play a role in why men often present late for treatment of prostate cancer.

The doctor urged, however, that a lowered mortality rate can only be achieved through early detection of prostate cancer. At present, the ideal way of detecting issues with the prostate gland is with the digital rectal examination (DRE) along with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

“The digital rectal exam is a very easy method for almost all physicians to be able to use as an in-office procedure. When you screen for prostate cancer, you should combine it with the PSA blood test and that will improve your detection of possible patients at an earlier stage. These procedures (PSA blood test and DRE) are readily available at most of public hospitals; it is not difficult and it would be free. It requires more of the willpower of the physicians and the patients,” Dr Taylor-Graham explained.

However, before a man gets to a hospital to do these tests, there are some ways to lower the chance of getting prostate cancer that only require some lifestyle changes.

“There is no sure way or method that can prevent prostate cancer. There are ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer overall, such as having a diet low in fat, high in vegetables, abstaining from smoking, regular exercise and maintaining a normal body mass index,” Dr Taylor-Graham disclosed.

However, if a man gets prostate cancer, Dr Taylor-Graham outlined the treatment options available. The method of treatment is usually dependent on the stage of cancer of the individual.

“Treatment for prostate cancer takes into consideration how advanced the cancer is at diagnosis, the patient’s life expectancy, and cancer severity (risk category). For patients with cancer confined to the prostate gland, surgery to remove the prostate gland is an option; another is radiation therapy,” she said.

Continuing, Dr Taylor added: “For patients who have an advanced disease at presentation or who are not candidates for removal of the prostate gland, treatment options include androgen deprivation therapy – which is a medical or surgical castration – chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy,” the oncologist disclosed.

In order to get more men into hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices to do prostate cancer checks, Dr Taylor-Graham believes that greater public education and messaging focused on the benefits of early detection and diagnosis must be done.

She added that physicians should also do their part in pushing for screenings as the methods are simple, and readily available since prostate cancer is covered under the National Health Fund (NHF)..

“Testing is simple and important and can help to save your life when the diagnosis is made early. Do it for yourself and your family,” she urged.