Men are being warned life is too short to put off getting tested for prostate cancer.

Survivor Rudy Barclay says if men want to see their children and grandchildren grow up, they should start getting tested at 40.

"Get it checked, don't wait until later," he says.

"So many men wait until the last minute, but why put it off? Life is too short.

"As you get older get yourselves checked out. I want to grow old to be a grandfather to my son's children.

"And also to be a pain in the ass," he adds, with a smile.

"I recommend to all guys, don't wait until you're 50, but do it at 40."

This month is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and The Royal Gazette has teamed up with the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre to promote awareness of the disease.

Throughout June we will publish a series of articles seeking to alert men to the dangers of prostate cancer and the importance of getting tested with a regular PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and DRE (Digital Rectal Examination).

One man every week is diagnosed with prostate cancer in Bermuda. If caught early enough however, the survival rate is almost 100 percent.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is recommending men have a PSA test at 40 to establish a 'benchmark' reading for future health checks.

Medical experts also recommend men have regular DRE tests, to check for any changes to the prostate gland. It is this brief examination of the rectum however, which puts many men off going to the doctor.

The test involves a doctor inserting a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland through the wall of the back passage, checking for any hard or lumpy areas.

Mr. Barclay says: "I've got some close buddies and they are like, 'I don't know if I can', but I tell them it's just like a bowel movement going backwards. That's how long it takes, it just takes a second.

"There's nothing to be afraid of."

The 63-year-old father-of-four, from Warwick, went to the doctor two years ago after he started getting blood in his semen and urine.

Tests showed he had prostate cancer and he elected to have his prostate removed, in January 2008.

Since then he says he has had "no problems" or side effects.

"So far, so good," says the former truck driver, who now runs the Oleander motorcycle shop at Cambridge Beaches.

"I was a little upset at first," he admits. "But I had a choice and decided to have it removed."

Mr. Barclay says he was anxious to see his 13-year-old son Nico grow up.

"I want to see him grow up to be a man, so I had to do something.

"It's been two years now and so far, so good. Hopefully everything is going to be AOK. I keep my fingers crossed."

In order to keep a clean bill of health however, Mr. Barclay must currently have a PSA test every six months.

"My advice to guys who are going 40 is to go and get your stuff checked," he says.

"Many men don't like to go through all of this but if it means living and surviving to see your children grow up, then go to your doctor."

On June 27, the Cancer and Health Centre is holding a free PSA screening for men over 40 who have no medical insurance or who have not had a test for 12 months, in partnership with the Bermuda Hospitals Board. It takes place at 46 Point Finger Road between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On June 25, Elbow Beach is hosting a 'Men's Only Night' where men can talk freely about the condition to US medical expert Dr. Michael O'Leary.

l For more information on prostate cancer contact the Cancer and Health Centre on: www.chc.bm or 236-1001.