Men asked to screen for prostate cancer

By John Agaba

Men, especially those approaching 40 years and above have been asked to screen for prostate cancer, a deadly non-communicable disease that attacks the prostate gland found inside the male reproductive organ.

According to ministry of health statistics, prostate cancer is the leading cancer among men.

Initially, the disease may not present any symptoms. But in advanced stage, patients may experience an urge to urinate more often than usual as the cancer eats up the prostate gland and swells.

Bro. Gerard Mwebe, the provincial superior of the Brothers of Christian Instruction based in Kisubi on Entebbe Road, asked men to go to health facilities for rectal examinations to determine whether they have the cancer or not.

He said that when the disease is diagnosed early, it can be cured. This is the same argument by leading oncologists in the country.

Mwebe was speaking at the Brothers of Christian Instruction function last week where a total of 17 Brothers vowed to stay chaste, poor and obedient.

The function was presided over by Kampala Archbishop, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

The Brothers knelt in front of their superior general, The Rev. Bro. Yannick Houssey, inside the St. Mary's College Kisubi chapel to dedicate their lives to God, before prostrating.

Brothers the world over are known for their service above self attitude, especially in extending health services to the poor.

Mwebe said that prostate cancer was on the increase. Records from Mulago National Referral Hospital indicate that in 2013, 70, 000 more people were diagnosed with cancer.

However, according to statistics, 58% of men go screening for prostate cancer when it is already late, after manifesting symptoms.

Lwanga commended the Brothers for their contribution especially to health and education management in Uganda.

He said that many of the best hospitals/health centres and schools in the country were church founded and many of them were run by Brothers.

He asked the newly 'weds' to honor their vows, promising them that it will not be easy; that they will meet lots of temptations.

"But you have to be committed to God's work," he advised them.