MORE than 150 men attended a recent lecture on prostate cancer, indicating residents are more open to discussing health issues once considered taboo, writes Heather Wood.

According to Michael O'Leary, senior urologist at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is driving that success. The charity holds free seminars on a regular basis as a means of informing men about the symptoms and treatment of the disease and other medical issues.

Dr. O'Leary was joined at the most recent event by local urology specialist Charles Dyer.

Held at the Bermuda Underwater Institute last week, the presentation was seen as an accomplishment by Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre marketing/fundraising director Pauline Girling, as it attracted those most frequently affected by prostate cancer - men of African descent aged 40 and older.

"The event at the BUEI was a success," she stated. "In excess of 160 males attended. Ninety to 95 per cent were black Bermudian or of African American descent and a significant percentage of the attendees appeared to be in the target range of 40 to 50 years of age.

"The two presenting doctors (Dr. O'Leary and Dr. Dyer) were very encouraged by this response and were able to provide factual medical information on prostate health issues in a language that the men understood - and in a non-threatening, non-clinical environment. We have received positive feedback today from a number of attendees as well as receiving calls from men who are interested in being part of a soon-to-be formed men's health support group."

Dr. O'Leary said that he was encouraged by the response from the local population, most of whom seemed very comfortable talking about issues once considered extremely private.

"This is the fourth or fifth year that I've done this," said Dr. O'Leary, also a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School. "Each time the turnout is better. Maybe they're more comfortable asking questions about men's health but it's also testament to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre - they do a great job publicising it."

A disease that develops in the male reproductive system, prostate cancer occurs when cells mutate and multiply. It can cause pain, difficulty in urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms.

Continued on Page 2

Most common in black men, the likelihood of successful treatment is higher with early diagnosis.

"People were very clued in to what we were talking about," said Dr. O'Leary as a means of highlighting how local knowledge had improved on the subject. "I think certainly men are aware of it - lots of high-profile people have had prostate cancer - but there seems to be a greater awareness of men's health in general. Men are less reluctant to ask questions about their health. The message seems to be getting out there pretty well to Bermuda about prostate disease but particularly prostate cancer, which has a higher incidence in black men."

One of the most common questions asked was in regard to prevention. As explained by the expert, there is very little scientific evidence available.

"Prostate cancer is the leading cause of non-skin cancer deaths in men," Dr. O'Leary stated. "We don't have a lot of really solid data at this point but it's safe to say a healthy diet would have some influence - low fat is better than high fat. My real message was that early detection is key."

Annual anal digital rectal exams or blood tests such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) are the best means of protection, he insisted. "Early detection is key. If diagnosed early, in most circumstances, it can be (cured). I think most men are aware, they're just reluctant to seek early prevention and therefore early diagnosis has been the problem. Women do a pretty good job of talking about their own health issues and men have finally learned from women to be more open, they're more likely to get detected."

In his roles at Brigham and Women's and at Harvard Medical School Dr. O'Leary said he has seen several Bermuda patients with "different types of urological cancers" and understood that the frank discussion at the BUEI might not have been possible in mixed company.

"I think men would have been more reluctant to talk if there were a bunch of women in the room," he said, praising the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre for deciding upon a men-only presentation.