Championing men’s health

PROSTATE CANCER is the leading cancer diagnosis among Jamaican men and one of the deadliest. Yet, far too often, men present at later stages of the disease when treatment options are limited and outcomes are less favourable. Consultant urologist Dr Belinda Morrison, head of the Urology Division at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), explained that the issue is not just medical but cultural. Fear, myths, and stigma continue to keep men away from the doctor’s office, with devastating consequences.

“For the past 60 years, data from the Jamaica Cancer Society and Globocan have reported that prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in Jamaica. It is the most common cancer in men locally and overall,” Dr Morrison said. She continued: “These statistics have been unchanged to date. Although it is coined as a disease of the elderly, many new cases are being seen in men in their 40s and 50s.”

“Regardless of aggressiveness, if men detect the disease early, the death rates would be reduced,” Dr Morrison stressed. “But the reality is that many men either delay or avoid screening altogether, often because of misinformation.”

Why do Jamaican men avoid the doctor?

1. The digital rectal exam is an attack on masculinity

For generations, the digital rectal exam (DRE) has been at the centre of the stigma. Many men associate it with a loss of masculinity, which creates a major psychological barrier to screening.

Dr Morrison acknowledged this discomfort but notes that men now have more options. The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test, a simple blood test, can detect prostate cancer at very early stages. When paired with the DRE, it offers the most accurate results. “The PSA test gives us a chance to catch cancer long before symptoms appear,” she explained. “But the DRE is still valuable. It can sometimes pick up irregularities that the blood test alone might miss.”

The message: don’t let fear of the exam cost your life. Modern screening can be quick, effective, and lifesaving.

2. Treatment always leads to impotence

The fear of losing sexual function prevents many men from even getting tested. “Some men would rather not know because they believe treatment will rob them of their manhood,” Dr Morrison explained.

But this fear is often exaggerated. While certain treatments, such as surgery or radiation, can affect sexual function, not every man will experience these side effects, and many regain function with time and support. In addition, advances in treatment methods mean that doctors can often tailor care to reduce risks.

“What men need to understand is that an untreated, aggressive prostate cancer is far more devastating than any temporary side effect,” Dr Morrison said. “Early detection gives us choices. Late detection takes those choices away.”

3. Prostate cancer is always slow-growing

One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that prostate cancer is harmless or always develops slowly. This might be true in some cases, but in black men, including Jamaican men, the disease is often more aggressive.

“In Jamaica, we see that by the time men come in with symptoms, the cancer has already advanced,” Dr Morrison explained. This is why early, routine screening is critical. Waiting until something feels wrong is a gamble many cannot afford to take.

4. Having many sexual partners increases the risk

This myth, while widely believed, has no medical basis. “There is no evidence to show that the number of sexual partners a man has affects his risk for prostate cancer,” Dr Morrison clarified.

Unfortunately, beliefs like these create a false sense of control: men may convince themselves that if they are ‘careful’ in their personal lives, they are safe from prostate cancer. The truth is, the real risk factors are age, family history, and ethnicity.

5. Eating ackee causes prostate cancer

Food myths are another barrier. Dr Morrison noted that many men still believe that eating ackee contributes to prostate cancer. “There is no scientific evidence for this,” she emphasised.

Instead of focusing on unfounded fears, men should be more concerned about the proven facts: prostate cancer is most common in men over 40, especially those with a family history of the disease.

“These misconceptions distract from what really matters, getting screened early and regularly,” she said. “These myths are not only false but dangerous. They stop men from getting tested, and by the time many finally come in, their disease is too advanced to cure.”

Her advice is clear: “Don’t wait for symptoms. Get screened.”

That is why awareness campaigns like the Blue Run matter. More than a race, it is a movement to challenge the stigma, share the facts, and save lives. Funds raised this year will support the refurbishment of UHWI’s prostate biopsy room, creating a more comfortable and accessible space for patients.

As runners and walkers prepare to take part in this year’s Blue Run, their strides symbolise more than exercise or competition. Each participant is contributing to the fight against prostate cancer, raising awareness, funding improvements in care, and helping to create a culture where screening is normalised and supported. Guided by professionals like Dr Belinda Morrison, Jamaica is moving closer to a future where prostate cancer no longer claims the lives of so many men.