by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—Prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed among men in the Caribbean, which bears a disproportionately high burden of the disease globally.
During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September, the Nevis Department of Gender Affairs and Nevis Premier Hon. Mark Brantley are urgently calling on men to prioritise early screening and medical consultations.
The statistics highlight a serious health crisis for men across the region.
In 2022 alone, the Caribbean recorded approximately 22,271 new cases and 9,695 deaths due to prostate cancer.
Black men are at a significantly higher risk, being twice as likely to die from the disease, with roughly one in six diagnosed during their lifetime.
Risk factors increase heavily with ageing and a family history of prostate cancer.
Premier Brantley emphasised that men should not wait for symptoms to appear, as waiting can often mean discovering the disease too late.
“As we observe Prostate Awareness Month this September, I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to the men of Nevis. Prostate cancer is not something to be ignored or to be taken lightly. The statistics show that the rate of prostate cancer among Black men is particularly high. If you have a family who has prostate cancer, your risks are greater. The older you get, the greater the risks become. It is therefore critically important that you get checked. Do not wait until symptoms develop. That may well be too late. Get in touch with your doctor. Get in touch with your health professional and get checked. Know your status. Take control of your health. And I appeal to our women out there, please, encourage your men. Your boyfriends, your husbands, your brothers, your cousins. Encourage them to get checked and to know their status. Let’s fight prostate cancer together.”
Health officials strongly encourage men to speak with healthcare providers about routine screening options to determine the timeline and frequency for examinations.
