A health symposium in Lagos has urged men to prioritise prostate health and embrace early screening, warning that prostate cancer has become a major health emergency among men but is highly manageable when detected early.
The event, themed “Prostate Health: Management and Challenges,” stressed that timely diagnosis and prompt treatment can significantly improve survival.
The symposium encouraged men aged 40 and above to undergo annual comprehensive health screenings, manage stress, follow prescribed medications, and adopt healthier lifestyles through balanced diets and regular exercise.
The programme opened with free checks for blood sugar, blood pressure, and other vital signs.
UK-based senior diabetes specialist, Mrs. Oluwabukola Martins-Akande, warned that diabetes is a “silent killer” that can increase the risk of cancer and hypertension if poorly managed.
She cautioned against self-medication, urged routine hospital check-ups from age 40, and advised moderation in diet, reduced sugar intake, and regular physical activity to curb lifestyle-related diseases.
Public health physician, Dr. Oguntibeju Adeyemi, described prostate cancer as potentially life-threatening and costly if detected late, noting that early diagnosis makes treatment more affordable and effective.
He identified risk factors such as age, family history, obesity, and race—particularly among African men—and highlighted symptoms including frequent urination, blood in urine or semen, lower abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
A prostate cancer survivor, Mr. Tunde Adebayo, called for greater public awareness and patient education, urging men to ask critical questions about diagnosis and treatment.
Founder of the Heritage Pacesetter Foundation, Mr. Tunde Martins-Akande, announced plans to establish prostate health and research centres in Nigeria and to mark the second Saturday of March annually as Prostate Health Day, while religious leaders at the event stressed that faith must go hand in hand with professional medical care.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh