Consultant urologist Dr Belinda Morrison (right) makes a point at a Jamaica Observer Press Club on Wednesday while executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society Yulit Gordon looks on.
THE Guardian Group Foundation has announced that it, along with the National Commercial Bank (NCB), will be donating $3 million to the Jamaica Cancer Society’s efforts to increase public awareness about the impact of prostate cancer.
Vice-president of sales and marketing at Guardian Life Limited Alicia Foster made the disclosure while speaking at a Jamaica Observer Press Club on Wednesday, following a presentation on the prevailing factors which prevent men, ages 40 to 75, from having their recommended annual screening done.
“Guardian, along with NCB will be making a $3-million contribution towards the sensitisation and the encouragement of screenings in terms of prostate cancer. The objectives are to use the funds to heighten awareness of prostate cancer, provide some sort of simple and effective education on the disease, and increase the number of men that are screened,” Foster said.
The donation is timely, as Jamaica Cancer Society Executive Director Yulit Gordon stressed that fear and a lack of awareness about the condition are factors influencing the low rate of men turning up for screening at 40 years old.
“Far too many men are afraid of the actual screening test, in particular the DRE (digital rectal examination), as well as fear of any side effects from surgery, in particular, erectile dysfunction. These fears have crippled the majority of Jamaican males who are eligible for screening from availing themselves to these life-saving tests,” Gordon said.
She also cited lack of health insurance and low socio-economic status as other factors which cause poor screening compliance.
In the meantime, consultant urologist Dr Belinda Morrison shared observations that more men show up to the hospital with advanced prostate cancer than those who are able to detect the disease before it is too late.
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