More and more men are aware of the need to test for prostate cancer, according to a cancer charity.

Rhonda Smith Simmons, of the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, said she feels the organisation's annual awareness campaigns have been making an impact.

"I honestly believe the tide is changing, based on the response we've had for the last few events," the education officer said. "The men only events we've held the last two years have been our best attended events.

"We had around 200 men come to last year's meeting, and the year before that we had between 170 and 180 men."

During a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test drive last year, the organisation was visited by around 200 men. "We had men lined up outside our door before we opened up," said Ms. Simmons. "My feeling is that men are really starting to pay attention."

Part of the problem had always been that men were unwilling to discuss the sensitive subject of prostate exams.

Even when men know they should get checked, they sometimes put off testing until their doctor suggests it, but by that point there may already be a problem.

"I read an article online about how men take care of their cars," said Ms. Simmons. "I thought an interesting question for men is if your body was a car, would you take better care of it?"

Because of the success of the campaigns, this year the organisation is broadening it's target by changing Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to Men's Health Awareness Month.

"In past years, we've focused on prostate cancer, but this year we wanted to look at men's health overall," she said. "This year, at our men only meeting on June 17, we're looking to have representatives for other organisations, especially in areas that affect men's health. Heart disease, for example, is a greater threat to this community than even cancer.

While the focus of the awareness month has broadened, prostate and colorectal cancer are still major issues in Bermuda and while there are treatments available, early identification is still vital.

"We are encouraging men over the age of 40, especially those of African decent, to start getting screened for prostate cancer," Ms. Simmons said. "Men who don't fall into a high risk category should still get tested from age 50 on.

"It gives the doctor more information, so that he can decide if further tests are needed or not. We also think that testing for colorectal cancer should start at age 50, or earlier if there is a first-tier relative with the disease, like a father or brother."

For more information about cancer or cancer screening, visit www.chc.bm.

* A.S. Coopers and the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre are joining forces to raise awareness of men's health and money for the charity.

On Thursday A.S. Coopers will be holding a one night only event, where a $5 donation to BCHC will give shoppers discounts on items throughout the store.

Information on cancer prevention will also be available in A.S. Cooper Man all this month.

Comers Cooper, A.S. Coopers Managing Director, said: "We are proud to be supporting Men's Health Awareness Month and the BCHC in all of our stores.

"The timing of Fathers Day on June 20 dovetails nicely with this initiative."

Deborah Titterton Narraway of the BCHC said: "This partnership will assist us in continuing to raise awareness about men's health issues."