Barbados Today

by Clifton Henry

One hundred and eleven men died last year in Barbados from prostate cancer alone and president of the Barbados Cancer Society Dr. Dorothy Cooke-Johnson is stressing to men the importance of early testing and diagnosis.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY at Holders Hill Polo Grounds after the Cancer Society Charity Day polo presentation ceremony on Sunday, Dr. Cooke-Johnson said the society was here to serve everyone and Barbadians should make full use of it. She noted that prostate cancer in men was more prevalent than breast cancer in women.

“Cancer affects everyone in our society both men, women and children and that’s why we are here today at these matches to encourage men especially – since polo is a men’s sport – the importance of early detection and about our screening facilities that are opened to them,” she said.

Dr. Cooke-Johnson added: “One hundred and eleven males died in Barbados last year from prostate cancer. That is twice the number of females that died from breast cancer during the similar period. That should never have happened. Early detection could have saved many of those lives but most times men wait until too late to seek medical attention.”

She stated that while some men were afraid to have the rectal examination, it was advisable that they visit the cancer society or their personal physician and have the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test done instead.

“Apart from the breast screening section, the main part of the Barbados Cancer Society is the early detection clinics for men. These clinics are opened three days a week Tuesday, Thursdays and alternate Saturdays in the afternoon.

“For those men who would prefer a lady doctor or nurse to attend them, we have two beautiful female doctors and two similar female nurses waiting to look after you,” She said with a smile.