Men are being urged to get tested for prostate cancer, one of the biggest killers worldwide.

The Royal Gazette today joins forces with the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre for the launch of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Dwayne 'Sluggo' Leverock is the face of our campaign and today the star bowler warns men not to get caught out by the disease.

"Please get checked. It is very important and it could save your life," says the Bermudian cricketing hero.

"The statistics for black males getting this disease are very high, so this makes it even more important."

Throughout June, The Royal Gazette will publish a series of articles seeking to give information on prostate cancer, its causes and effects, and the treatments available. We also speak to survivors and the men and women currently affected by this condition.

The recurring message from them all is the importance of being tested for prostate cancer at an early stage, and to have regular check-ups with a GP.

Medical experts recommend men should have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) by their doctor every year from the age of 50.

Those at a higher risk black men or those with a family history of prostate cancer should start getting tested at 45.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre however, is recommending all men should have annual prostate checks from the age of 40.

Contrary to other cancers such as stomach or colon cancer, prostate cancer is a silent killer, with many men reporting no symptoms. If caught early however, the survival rate is nearly 100 percent.

Early detection is the key, and this month the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre is running a publicity campaign to urge men to do just that.

There will also be a series of Rotary Club talks, leafleting of gyms and exercise clubs, plus a 'Men's Only Night' at Elbow Beach on June 25 where men can talk freely about the condition to US medical expert Dr. Michael O'Leary in the absence of women.

The awareness campaign will culminate in a free screening clinic on Saturday, June 27, where men without health insurance or those who have not been screened for 12 months can have a walk-in PSA test by King Edward VII Memorial Hospital staff.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre campaign is being sponsored by Belco and Arch Capital Group.

"The impact of prostate disease touches so many men and their families," says Pauline Girling, the Centre's fundraising director.

"One in six men worldwide will get prostate cancer, and so we are asking all men age 40-plus to join our team. Call your doctors today to schedule your prostate screening test, and 'Tackle Prostate Cancer' now.

"Our aim is to change people's attitudes to prostate cancer and for testing to become as acceptable as breast cancer screening is for women.

"We hope that by starting their PSA screening at 40, men can obtain a baseline reading from which they can monitor their results in subsequent tests year after year.

"Insurance companies cover this annual screening but not enough men are coming forward, so we need to encourage them."

Mrs. Girling said: "In general, men don't take responsibility for their health like women do. This is all about taking responsibility for your own health."

Linda Smith, senior vice president of corporate relations at Belco, said: "As the majority of our employees are men, we wanted to support the message that early screening and detection is important, as the disease is survivable if caught early.

"As part of our sponsorship, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre will also be offering blood testing for prostate cancer for our employees.

"It is a well thought-out, comprehensive campaign which includes events and community information which has the potential to reach out to many in our community."

Charles Penruddocke, chairman of Arch Capital's charity commission, said: "Given that between 16 and 25 percent of all males develop prostate cancer, we at Arch Capital Group, being an insurance and re-insurance group, would like to improve these ratios. The charity commission felt that this support of the campaign was a good way to raise awareness.

"I personally wish that every male over the age of 40 would have an annual medical, the cost of which is usually borne by health insurers.

"The message really is, if you don't have an annual physical, you may pay dearly."