Statistics show that one in four African men and one in eight white men in the country have a lifetime risk to get prostate cancer. So, if you are a South African man, a visit to the Urology Hospital in Pretoria for a free test this September might save your life.

Research shows that aggressive prostate cancer is more common in black men, and therefore, the CEO at the hospital, Malcolm Anthony, urges African men to screen from the age of 40.

“Race is a major risk factor for prostate cancer as African men have a 60% increased risk for prostate cancer. They’re also about 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease than other races,” Anthony explains.

He says other ethnic group’s men should start screening from 45 years old. “Early detection is key and those with a family history of prostate cancer should be screened often.”

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and during the month, The Urology Hospital will participate in the ‘I took the Test’ campaign. The partnership with Astellas and The Prostate Cancer Foundation will see the hospital provide free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.

“There are usually no symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages. Those who regularly go for screening may have the benefit of early cancer detection when it is still potentially curable. Once it has metastasised there is no cure,” adds foundation CEO Andrew Oberholzer.

The PSA test, which is best done with a digital rectal examination, detects prostate abnormalities. A high score on this blood test can be due to prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate or an infection.

If you are:

• An African man from the age of 40 who has a family history of prostate and/or breast cancer in a first degree relative,
• Or a man from the age of 45 in any other ethnic group,
• And have not been diagnosed and/or treated for prostate cancer,

You meet the requirements for free testing at the hospital on September 16 (10:00-16:00) and September 17 (09:00-14:00).