As part of Male Cancer Awareness Month, the Cayman Islands Cancer Society has invited a urologist from Florida to hold presentations on Grand Cayman.
During September, the society will be focusing primarily on prostate and testicular cancers. Throughout this week, Dr. Hernan Carrion, sponsored by Baptist Health South Florida, will hold sessions at such companies as Cable & Wireless, Maples and Calder, and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, including the Cayman Islands, explained Christine Sanders, office and education manager of the cancer society.
The disease is most common in men over 50 years old and the risk continues to increase with age, she added.
If diagnosed early, however, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the disease. Regular screenings every two years make early detection possible.
To help fund these screenings, Ms Sanders would like to start a campaign to encourage men to save their loose change for donation to the cancer society.
The society will also help those without the resources to pay for a screening.
‘We’ll offer screening vouchers for qualified persons,’ Ms Sanders said.
Testicular cancer usually hits men under 40 but can develop at any age, she explained. The usual symptom is a lump in the testicle which can be detected early by practising monthly self-examinations. Annual checkups by a doctor are also recommended.
‘Men should be checking themselves the same way a woman checks herself for breast cancer,’ she said.
She is urging women to attend the presentations as well.
‘Men don’t take charge of their health. Quite often they don’t want to come to these sessions. Women are more willing to come and learn. They are more proactive in dealing with health issues,’ Ms Sanders said.
Other sessions will be held in various districts throughout the month, starting 20 September at St. George’s Anglican Church Hall in George Town. The Church of God Hall in Bodden Town will host a session 22 September and the East End United Church Hall will be the venue 26 September.
There will also be a presentation in West Bay on 29 September with the venue to be confirmed. All of the presentations will begin 7.30pm.
Ms Sanders will be available other times during the month to give presentations to companies and organisations that request the sessions.
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If diagnosed early, however, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the disease. Regular screenings every two years make early detection possible.
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