A clinic designed to help men screen for cancer including prostate is to be held on the Island after health officials struck up a partnership with a world-renowned institute.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) announced that experts from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston, along with Partners International would be on the Island screening for cancers of the prostate, testes, bladder and kidney on May 14.

Last year prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men on the Island and the clinic is part of a programme designed to ensure local patients receive world-class care here in Bermuda.

The programme is under the medical direction of Mary Ellen Taplin, who serves as a Medical Oncologist at Dana-Farber. Dr. Taplin is also as an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Donald Thomas, Chief of Staff at BHB said: "Our goal is to provide access to world-class care and, through our association with Dana-Farber, we are very pleased to be able to do this for people in Bermuda with genitourinary cancers.

"Being able to see a renowned specialist in this type of malignancy on-Island will save many residents the additional stress of travelling overseas for a consultation. Anyone who is worried they have a genitourinary cancer should see their GP immediately so that the appropriate diagnostic testing can be carried out.

"If they have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, however, their GP can request a consultation with Dr Taplin."

While the clinic is aimed at men, women with cancers of the bladder and kidney will also be able to request consultations with Dr. Taplin while she is on-Island.

The clinic is also being organised by Partners International, a division of Partners HealthCare, also based in Boston. The company is in charge of coordinating physician support for the new clinic.

Leslie Shane, Bermuda Director for Partners International, said: "The new men's clinic truly demonstrates Partners' commitment to providing the highest standard of cancer care for all Bermudian patients.

"In partnership with the BHB and Health Insurance Association of Bermuda , we are continually seeking new and innovative ways to deliver world class care while simultaneously tackling rising health care costs."