Ocho Rios men's health fair sees stronger prostate screening turnout

A larger number of men sought prostate cancer checks and other medical screenings at Sunday's fifth annual Men's Health Fair in Ocho Rios, organisers from the Jamaica Cancer Society's St Ann-St Mary Branch reported.

The event, staged at Turtle River Park, mainly targeted men 40 and older. It provided free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal examinations (DRE), as well as checks for blood sugar, blood pressure, HIV and cholesterol.

The branch was still tallying the final count, but chairperson Deana Flinn and branch manager Daidrey DaSilva said the crowd was ahead of last year's numbers.

"I think the turnout is larger than last year," Flinn said. "We have 12 medical tents and our screening is still a little bit slow because we actually don't have sufficient space, and this year it's the most medical tents we've ever had. So, definitely our numbers are bigger this year."

Flinn said the prostate services were the strongest pull for men who came to the fair.

"The PSA and the DRE are what they're here for. ... They want their regular screening - blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, HIV, and all of that - but their main thing is their prostate screening. ... They're not leaving that out," Flinn confirmed.

She said close to 30 per cent of those attending had also been at last year's fair, a sign, she indicated, that more men are treating screening as part of their regular health routine.

"And that is something we're very proud of," she said.

Flinn said she would like to see similar health fairs held in other parts of Jamaica. She noted that some men travelled from parishes such as Clarendon and Kingston to take part.

Wayne Golding, who lives in St Mary, was one of the repeat participants, returning for a second year.

"I was here last year to do some test and I'm back this year, I just need to know my status, need to know my numbers," he told The Gleaner. "I did the prostate, cholesterol, diabetes, most of the tests."

DaSilva said she was pleased with the level of support and expressed thanks to the sponsors, donors, volunteers and medical workers who helped deliver the fair.

Organisers are now urging more men to use future screening opportunities.

"It's important to know what issues you're having and how it is dealt with before it reaches a stage where it's hard to control. So, it's best for you to come out and get to know what your numbers are and what issues you're having. So, we're encouraging you, the men out there, to do your tests," DaSilva said.

Flinn added: "To get the men out, we're just going to tell them that screening saves lives so it's important to know your status."