Cancer is a disease that does not respect  one's station in life or wealth and it can strike anyone at any time.  It strikes in many forms -- bladder, brain, breast, cervical, colon, esophageal, kidney, liver, ovarian, pancreatic, bone, testicular, thyreoid, uterine - and if caught early enough the afflicted can live long healthy lives.  One of those cancers -- prostate -- has been a major cause of death for Bahamian men, because in most instances they are diagnosed too late.  Many men refuse to take a simple exam that can detect changes in their prostate to indicate whether or not there is a problem.

To bring awareness to this disease that does not have to be a death sentence, Us Too, a prostate cancer education and support group was formed a decade ago for men to be able to lean on each other.  While the awareness of the disease is getting out there, too many men still refuse to speak about it or get their prostates checked.
It came as a surprise to many when the Right Reverend Laish Z. Boyd Sr., bishop of the Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands, said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The bishop sought treatment and said he is a testimony to regular check-ups and early detection.  Boyd explained that because of a check-up he found out about his prostate cancer, as he had no symptoms and as far as he knew was in good health. Today, he gives thanks to God that he's cancer free. With this bittersweet reference to give men courage and hope when faced with the reality of prostate cancer, many men still shut down and do not even think there is any other outcome but death.

As the month of September is recognized as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a number of religious leaders said whether a man professes Christianity or not, it is best to stay positive -- no matter what.  And during this month, many pastors pay special attention to promoting special check-ups for their male parishioners.

On Sunday past, Bishop Solomon Humes, senior pastor at the Church of God of Prophecy on Minnie Street, used his sermon to speak to the men in his church about having their prostates checked, because for him it's a serious subject. The pastor ensures that the men in his congregation take their health seriously which he says is important to him.  As it is prostate cancer awareness month, Humes said he has made a personal effort to talk to men about taking a prostate exam not only for their sakes but that of their families.

"What makes it serious is most men will not talk about it or even entertain the possibility that they are endangering themselves and this is a mindset we need to get men to change, because their families will be left without a father, brother, husband if they have cancer and die from it due to their neglect," said Humes. Humes, 60, who leads by example has had his prostate checked, but he said too many men believe cancer or even illnesses cannot touch them.

"It's unfortunate that so many men take this thing for granted.  They don't realize how important it is to do their tests because the earlier the disease is detected the more successful treatment can be," he said.

Due to the reluctance of men to take their health into their own hands, he encourages more women to step up and push their older male family members to do what is right, because no one wants to lose a loved one especially from something that could have been treated or even prevented. Humes advised women to go into the medical practitioner's office holding his hand if that is what it takes to get him to take care of himself.

"Men often are so busy taking care of everyone else they forget to take care of themselves properly.  This is a bad thing and so women and other concerned family members need to really push, prod and encourage so they go. We all want to keep our loved ones with us for as long as possible so if it is in your power to do it, then all you can do is try," he said.

Humes said men need encouragement and their families should really make an effort to be there for them. Canon Basil Tynes, 52, who has had his prostate checked, said his church promotes members helping each other.  People who have faced cancer often mentor persons who develop cancer or other health issues.  He said it is important for members to support each other because people facing that situation need as much comfort and help as they can get so they know they are not alone.

"Giving up hope is what truly kills people," says Canon Tynes, rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church.

"There are so many options out there if you find out you have cancer ... radiation, operations, treatment and medication.  Giving in and letting go is what kills most of the time.  In the Anglican Church we have special conferences for men that allows them to gather and talk to one another about issues involving the church and their health.  We don't just talk about these issues in this time [Prostate Cancer Awareness Month] but it is something we do at different intervals to encourage our men to take care of themselves.  At our last conference, we had Dr. Robin Roberts come to talk to our men about health. This is very important and we want our men to know that."

At age 40, Pastor Cranston Knowles, co-pastor at Abundant Life Bible Church, has yet to have his first prostate exam, but he says his chuch pushes men's health issues heavily.  He says he's also found that although many men do not want to speak directly about their problems should they develop prostate cancer, he say it is still the church's duty to provide support as they need it.  A good way his church has found to do this is by providing a comfortable atmosphere that allows men to feel more open to speaking about their issue.

"It isn't a good idea to prod when the man does not want to talk about something, so as a church we don't push people into the lives of others, especially if they are battling something like cancer on their own.  We are there to be supportive but not to force them.  Women are different.  They are usually always ready to share, hug, cry or whatever it takes to get their pain and anguish out.  Men are different so we should wait for them to get to a place where they are comfortable to get support."

Pastor Knowles says his church's special health conscious campaign has focused on men's health especially prostate cancer on several occasions.  They have invited physicians to come into the church to ensure their men get the best advice and health tips available.  He says ensuring male issues are never left out or put on the back burner is a good way to encourage men to subconsciously want to always take care of themselves for their sake and that of their families.

Bishop Boyd has said when he received his diagnosis, one of the things he said to himself, to God and to his wife was that he wanted his cancer to be used for the honor and glory of God.  He is the patron of the third annual 1,000-man walk for prostate health which takes place on Saturday, December 17 with a 6 a.m. start which begins and ends at the Cancer Society on Harcourt "Rusty" Bethel Drive, under the theme: Man to man, hand to hand, foot to food, mouth to ear, communicating each other's prostate concern."

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