Run for prostate cancer awareness

Scores of men turned up at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday to undergo free prostate cancer screening during the official launch of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Run.

This initiative is aimed at tackling stigma, fear and lack of knowledge about prostate cancer.

The run came into being after Dumisani Pakkies was diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer in 2020, despite having had no symptoms.

With fellow athletes, Pakkies will embark on a symbolic run from Pietermaritzburg to Hammarsdale on Friday, and resuming on Saturday to reach Durban.

The run seeks to shine the spotlight on prostate cancer, which disproportionately affects black African men, largely owing to stigma and late diagnosis.

In addition to this awareness campaign, free prostate cancer screening services were made available through the KZN Department of Health at Grey’s Hospital on Tuesday, and will continue at Hlengisizwe Community Health Centre on Friday, and St Aidan’s Hospital on Saturday.

Pakkies expressed gratitude to Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane for supporting the campaign and ensuring critical screening resources are provided during the three-day programme.

“Too many men are dying silently from prostate cancer. We want men to understand that early detection can save lives,” said Pakkies.

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