KINGSTON, Jamaica — The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) is urging men 40 years and older to take charge of their prostate health by visiting the nearest health centre and speaking with a healthcare provider about prostate cancer screening in observance of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Jamaica and is associated with the highest number of cancer deaths. In 2020, Jamaica recorded 1,561 new cases of the disease.

“Feeling well does not mean you should put off checking your prostate,” said Dr Elon Thompson, consultant urologist at Spanish Town Hospital. “We want men to understand that early conversations with a healthcare provider can make a difference.”

Currently, there are two methods of screening, namely, the PSA blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE).

Dr Thompson also noted that, “Men should know their family history and discuss their individual risks with a healthcare provider. Additionally, they should not ignore changes in urination or other symptoms that may cause concern. Symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty starting or stopping urination, blood in the urine or semen, back pain, frequent urination, family history of prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.”

SERHA’s commitment to strengthening urological services is already making a difference, with the Urology Department at Spanish Town Hospital performing nearly 1,500 surgical procedures and providing specialist outpatient care to thousands of patients, reducing the need for many Jamaicans to seek treatment outside their parish.

SERHA is therefore reminding men to visit any of the nearest health centres in Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas or St Catherine.