Younger men boost turnout at prostate cancer walk

The annual CEMIX Prostate Cancer Walk and Run drew a strong turnout on Sunday, with organisers reporting growing interest in the awareness initiative, particularly among younger men, even as broader concerns persist about screening.

The steady increase in participation over the four-year period reflects rising public awareness about the disease and the importance of early testing, said walk manager Michelle Straughn.

“We’re so excited because it means that our numbers are increasing, which means that the awareness is getting out there and more persons are becoming aware of what we’re expecting, which is to get more men coming to get tested because early detection is always the best protection for anything.”

Walk Manager Michelle Straughn. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)

Straughn said she was encouraged by the turnout, particularly the presence of younger participants:

“A lot of the younger men are out as well, which we’re pleased to see, as well the Barbados Defence Force have their young cadets on board as well walking, so we love that.”

While there is no formal registration system, participation is tracked through shirt sales:

“We don’t have a sign-up drive; what we do is persons purchase a shirt, and this year we would have had almost 1 500 persons purchasing shirts, as well persons can come in the shirts they would have had from previous years. 

“There was no process to know how many people actually showed up.”

Straughn added that organisers remain encouraged by the continued growth in participation over the years.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, joined the walk in both a personal and official capacity, as the ministry also fielded a contingent.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael and son also participated in Sunday’s walk. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)

He said prostate cancer continues to be a major public health concern in Barbados, underscoring the importance of screening and early detection.

“The emphasis for us in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as always, is on screening and early detection,” he said.

Ishmael encouraged men to take advantage of regular testing, noting that PSA screening from age 40 is considered best practice internationally.

“I want to encourage men in Barbados… get your early screens,” he said. “From the age of forty you should be having yearly PSAs to be able to determine where your numbers are. If you do it on a yearly basis, you can see if there is an increase over time, and if there are increases, then interventions can begin early, and these early interventions can prolong life and save lives.”

Prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among men in Barbados, with the junior health minister stressing that early detection remains critical to improving outcomes.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael. (Photo Credit: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)

Participants CEMIX Prostate Cancer Walk and Run. (Photo Credits: Lourianne Graham/Barbados TODAY)

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