Silent Killer: Men Urged To Screen For Prostate Cancer Early

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Body Without Spot (BWS), has called for increased uptake of periodic Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening among Nigerian men to enable early detection and timely treatment of prostate cancer, a disease experts say continues to pose a major health threat to men of African descent.

The Founder and Convener of BWS, Emeritus Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, made the appeal during a prostate health awareness soirée organised in partnership with the Enugu Sports Club on Sunday.

Prof. Okoye, a renowned radiologist and cancer prevention advocate, warned that prostate cancer remains one of the leading cancers in Black men globally, with Nigerian men disproportionately affected due to genetic predisposition, late presentation, and low awareness.

According to her, many Nigerian men either know very little about prostate diseases or avoid simple screening tests, preferring instead to “manage” symptoms for years until the condition progresses to advanced stages.

“By the time they arrive in hospital, treatment becomes complex, expensive, and survival chances are poorer. Choosing not to screen has become a deadly decision,” she said.

Prof. Okoye regretted that despite years of advocacy, awareness remains low, often compounded by a culture of silence, fear, and stigma around male reproductive health.

She noted that the event marks BWS’s flagship prostate awareness launch in the South-East, chosen deliberately for the Enugu Sports Club because it draws influential men whose decisions impact communities across business, politics, culture, and family life.

Formerly Breast Without Spot, BWS has, since 2008, engaged in community cancer education, early detection campaigns, and partnerships with global research institutions including Stanford University, Mayo Clinic, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins University.

Prof. Okoye envisioned a future where:

“Men aged 40 and above would know their PSA levels the same way they know their blood pressure. Let us be the generation that refused to keep quiet while our men died of a preventable, treatable disease.”

Understanding the Prostate and Cancer Risk

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland situated below the bladder and surrounding the urethra. Its primary function is the production of prostatic fluid, a key component of semen that nourishes and protects sperm.

It typically develops slowly and may remain asymptomatic in its early stages one reason screening is vital.

Experts Highlight Symptoms and Importance of Early Detection

A consultant urologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Dr. Okezie Mbadiwe, explained that every man has a prostate gland and that optimal sexual and reproductive function depends on its health.

Another urologist at UNTH, Dr. Chinweuba Odimba, listed warning signs that should prompt immediate medical evaluation. These include:

frequent urination, especially at night;

weak or interrupted urine stream;

difficulty starting or stopping urination;

burning sensation during urination;

persistent feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.

Dr. Odimba, however, noted that some men may exhibit no symptoms at all, making routine screening essential.

“Most early cases do not present symptoms. That is why PSA screening is strongly encouraged. When detected early and properly evaluated, outcomes are significantly better,” he said.

A consultant clinical oncologist, Dr. Vitalis Okwor, advised men between the ages of 40 and 50 to undertake PSA screening at least once or twice yearly, emphasising that early detection saves lives.

Leaders, Government Officials Back Call for Prostate Awareness

The Chairman of the event and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, urged men across the region to break the silence surrounding prostate health and adopt screening as a routine health practice.

“This partnership between BWS and Enugu Sports Club is inspired and timely. Men must overcome cultural barriers and prioritise their health,” he said.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, said the initiative aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services and expanding access to preventive care.

Prof. Ugwu reiterated government’s willingness to collaborate with health-focused NGOs such as BWS and called for a reduction in the cost of screening and prostate cancer treatment to widen access for more families.

Chairman of the Enugu Sports Club, Mr. Ifeanyi Nweke, pledged continued support for BWS’s cancer-awareness initiatives and appealed to government and private health providers to make prostate cancer care more affordable.

A Call for Collective Action

The event ended with a renewed call for Nigerian men especially those over 40 to prioritise their health, undergo regular PSA screening, and seek medical attention at the earliest signs of discomfort.

Stakeholders agreed that silence, stigma, and delayed intervention continue to fuel preventable deaths, and that community-driven awareness is vital to reversing the trend.