FOR David “King David” Reid, life has always been busy. At 55, the Kingston native is a cultural events manager, adjunct lecturer in events management and sports manager at his alma mater, where he oversees football, netball and basketball. Outside of work, he enjoys live music stage shows and follows football closely, cheering for Manchester City in the English Premier League and Germany during the World Cup.

Health concerns were not something he expected to bring his busy life to a halt. But in 2018, an unexpected doctor’s visit would force Reid to confront a reality he had spent years unknowingly putting off. Today, he looks back on his experience with gratitude, but also with a message he hopes other Jamaican men will take seriously: do not wait.

Reid had actually intended to get his prostate checked years before his diagnosis. In 2015, as he approached his 45th birthday and heard prostate cancer awareness messages on the airwaves, he booked an appointment with his general practitioner. The appointment never happened.

Three years later, an unrelated injury would unexpectedly put Reid back in a doctor’s office. While attending a river cookout, he sustained a nasty cut and later sought medical attention. His regular doctor was unavailable, but the attending physician became his new doctor after they struck up a conversation and discovered a connection through their families.

As part of an executive medical profile, she asked Reid to complete a series of health checks. One result stood out. His prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a blood test used to help assess prostate health, was higher than the normal range. His doctor recommended that he see a urologist, who performed a digital rectal examination (DRE), a physical examination of the prostate. The result prompted further investigation. A biopsy, in which samples of prostate tissue are examined for cancerous cells, confirmed what Reid had feared. He had prostate cancer.

“The news sucked the wind out of me”

The diagnosis came as a shock, even though Reid had already noticed some changes in his body, including frequent urination and leakage after urinating.

“When I went to see the urologist for the result after the biopsy, the news sucked the wind out of me for a bit,” he recalled. But Reid did not allow the diagnosis to paralyse him. Almost immediately, he decided that he would pursue surgery rather than active surveillance or radiation treatment.

His urologist had given him three options, and Reid chose a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland. “I went straight for radical prostatectomy. The surgery and recovery were without complication, and for that I give thanks,” he said.

His response to the diagnosis was characteristic of how he had approached much of his life: acknowledge the problem, make a decision and move forward.

That did not mean he was without fear. Initially, Reid was reluctant to tell his partner, family and friends, worried about how they would react. Eventually, however, the diagnosis became known when his urologist’s office was unable to reach him and contacted his emergency contacts. “My family put two and two together, and the story was out,” he said. “Of course, this came with a lot of emotions attached.”

The diagnosis also sent Reid into a period of reflection. He began questioning what could have caused his cancer, wondering whether it could have been related to his diet, sexual history, or the long periods he spent sitting while driving or working at his desk.

He also asked the question many patients ask themselves after a cancer diagnosis: Why me? But he did not allow himself to remain there for long. “I quickly got a hold of myself and decided to make the best of it,” he said.

Choosing action over fear

If there was one thing that pushed Reid to act quickly, it was not fear of death. “While I am not afraid of death, or even dying, I am terrified of pain,” he said. “Hence, one of the reasons I decided quickly to act.”

One of the biggest shocks came when he learned the cost of his surgery and initially did not know how much his health insurance would cover. “I went into panic mode,” he admitted. Fortunately, his insurance covered a significant portion of the procedure, allowing him to move forward with treatment. The surgery was performed without complication, and even during the difficult period that followed, Reid found ways to maintain his characteristic sense of humour.

The number he still checks first

For Reid, recovery did not mean simply putting the experience behind him. Regular PSA testing became part of his life, providing an important way for his doctors to monitor his health following treatment.

Since his surgery, he says his PSA has remained at 0.07, and he continues to undergo annual testing. The result is one he now looks forward to with a mixture of anticipation and gratitude. “Every time I do the test and get the result, I rush to read it, even before meeting up with my urologist,” he said.

Reid says the experience has not slowed him down. If anything, he remains as active as ever, continuing his professional, academic and community involvement. It has, however, changed his perspective on health and brought him even closer to his family. “I would say it brought us a bit closer than we were, and we were already a close-knit circle,” he smiled. “After all, they wouldn’t want to know the King suffered.”

His message to men

For someone who initially delayed his own screening after his first appointment fell through, Reid now understands how easily men can put their health on the back burner.

His advice to men who have been diagnosed is to surround themselves with people who will provide genuine support rather than judgement. But his strongest words are reserved for men who continue to avoid prostate health checks. “Brothers, bro bro, let me tell you something,” Reid said. “A DRE and PSA test may hurt for just a wee bit, but from those I have witnessed who suffered unto death from prostate cancer, go through some serious piece a pain.”

For Reid, the discomfort of a screening test is temporary. The consequences of waiting until cancer is advanced can be devastating. For “King David”, the greatest lesson from his prostate cancer journey may be a simple one: make the appointment, ask the questions and get checked.

Blue Run 5k continues the conversation

Reid’s story comes as Jamaica prepares for the fourth staging of Running Evens Jamaica’s Blue Run 5K, powered by Guardian Life, as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The 2026 Blue Run will take place on Sunday, September 20 at 6:30 am at Emancipation Park. Proceeds from this year’s event will support initiatives focused on raising awareness about prostate cancer, encouraging men to prioritise their prostate health, and promoting early screening and detection. Those interested in taking part in the 2026 Blue Run 5K can register through Running Events Jamaica at www.runningeventsja.com.