SAJ hosts prostate cancer awareness session

The Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) staged a lunch and learn session on prostate cancer and its effects for its team members on Thursday, September 29.

The session, facilitated by Dr Lorenzo Crumbie, was held in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to provide information on the disease and support those affected by it.

Dr Crumbie’s presentation focused on the early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, risk factors associated with its development, and treatment options. Noting that men of colour were at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, he encouraged the men present to get screened, particularly if they have a family history of the disease. Another risk factor which may contribute to the cancer’s development is increasing age, which makes screening more important for men over 40 years.

Dr Crumbie also shared that men were among the most hesitant to get regular health checks, particularly prostate cancer screenings which hold a stigma for many. As a result, he encouraged the women present to urge the men in their lives to put their health first.

Men should be wary of signs such as irregular urine stream, decreased force of urine stream and blood in their urine, as they could suggest prostate cancer development, the physician said.