While breast cancer tops overall diagnosis numbers in Belize, official health statistics reveal that prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Belize.
“When we look at the diagnostic information with cancer, we know that in Belize for the five cumulative years, we’ve had breast as number one diagnosis, followed by cervix, then prostate, lung, and colon at number five,” said Dr Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health and Wellness during episode one of The Hope Hour.
She added that the mortality figures tell a different story. “When you look at mortality, we know that in terms of cancer deaths, the number one cause is due to prostate cancer, followed by lung cancer, followed by cervical cancer, breast cancer is fourth, and colon cancer is fifth.”
Belize’s only oncologist, Dr Ramon Yacab, says cultural expectations and fear often prevent men from seeking medical attention early. He said many men delay checkups until they begin experiencing pain, by which time the cancer may already be advanced.
“Men are most of the times the breadwinners, and we always see them working,” said Dr Ramon Yacab, Belize’s only oncologist. “Cultural beliefs can sometimes be one. The fear, fear of being told that you may have something wrong, leads to delays.”
Medical experts report that many male patients enter health facilities only after experiencing severe pain.
While women undergo physical examinations as part of certain cancer screenings, Dr Yacab explained that prostate cancer screening for men generally begins with “a simple blood test” done annually.
“Most men will talk about the digital rectal exam, the fear about having someone check the prostate physically,” Dr Yacab said. “But for the men there, what we can generally start with is a simple blood test… where what we do is we determine the PSA, or the prostate-specific antigen in blood.”
Annual PSA testing is recommended starting at age 50, or earlier at age 45 for individuals with a family history of prostate cancer or of Afro-Caribbean descent. The PSA blood test is available free of charge at public health facilities nationwide.
The Hope Hour airs every second Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Greater Belize Media, with broadcasts available on the News 5 Live Facebook page and GBM Livestream on YouTube.
