Prostate cancer: Experts urge men to embrace early screening

Diagram of prostrate cancer. Photo: Kelina Hospital

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Health experts, advocates, and civil society leaders have called on Nigerian men to prioritise early screening and adopt healthy lifestyles to curb the rising burden of prostate cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

The call was made at a Men’s Health Symposium titled “Prostate Health: Management and Challenges,” organised by the Heritage Pacesetter Foundation in collaboration with Kingsway International Christian Centre and Men of Honour on Saturday in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Speaking on the clinical perspective of prostate cancer, public health physician Dr. Oguntibeju Adeyemi identified age, family history, infections, inflammation, and lifestyle factors as major risk contributors to the disease.

“Prostate cancer is not caused by sexual activity. What increases risk includes age, genetics, chronic inflammation, and lifestyle. Unfortunately, men often remain silent until the disease is advanced,” he said.

Founder of the Heritage Pacesetter Foundation, Mr. Tunde Akande, said the initiative was driven by personal loss and a desire to close critical health knowledge gaps affecting men, particularly those of African descent.

“Cancer is very alarming, but prostate cancer is more prevalent among men of black heritage, especially from age 40 and above. Studies show that one in four black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. The painful truth is that it is largely avoidable if detected early,” Akande said.

He disclosed that the foundation lost a close family member to prostate cancer due to late diagnosis, an experience that shaped HPF’s resolve to prioritise awareness and prevention.

“If we had had the right information at the time, we would not have lost that sibling. Prostate cancer is not a death sentence. Ignorance is the real killer,” he added.

Akande announced that prostate health awareness would remain a core project of the foundation between 2025 and 2026, with plans to institutionalise an annual Prostate Health Walk, scheduled for every second Saturday in March from 2026. He also urged other organisations to join the advocacy.

“Our slogan is simple: Go for screening. Know your status. Once you know your status, you can take the right steps to protect your life,” he said.

Also speaking, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Mrs. Bukola Martins-Akande highlighted the strong link between lifestyle-related diseases and cancer risk, warning that diabetes, often described as a “silent killer,” could increase susceptibility to prostate and other cancers.

“Diabetes may exist in the body for up to 10 years without symptoms. By the time it is detected, complications affecting the kidneys, nerves, eyes, and heart may have already set in,” she explained.

She stressed the importance of lifestyle choices such as diet, physical activity, and weight management, noting that prolonged sedentary behaviour, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of regular medical checks significantly increase health risks.

“What we eat, how much we move, and how often we check our health matter. Fat accumulation around the waist leads to insulin resistance, which triggers a dangerous chain reaction in the body,” Martins-Akande said.

She urged men to stop neglecting their health and to seek medical attention promptly when symptoms appear.

“Men must speak up. Visit your doctor regularly. Do your blood tests. Don’t spiritualise every symptom. Faith and medical responsibility must work together,” she said.

Adding an advocacy dimension, Mr. Rotimi Aiyede, representing the Eniola Care Foundation, shared how personal tragedy led to the establishment of the NGO.

He said the foundation was created by Mrs. Eniola Akintunde following the death of her husband from colon cancer, which was detected at an advanced stage.

“Late detection remains the biggest challenge in cancer management. Cancer can affect any part of the body. Many cases are discovered when it is already too late,” Aiyede said.

He emphasised the role of diet and lifestyle in cancer prevention and encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of medical outreaches and screening opportunities.

“Simple tests like colonoscopy or prostate screening can save lives. Early detection is the difference between life and death,” he added.

Before the symposium commenced, participants underwent free medical check-ups.

The PUNCH Senior Correspondent, Grace, has over 17 years experience covering education, arts, business and health sectors. She’s a graduate of Sociology

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