Saturday, January 19, 2013

Urologist reports decline in prevalence of prostate cancer in Nevis ...

Urologist Dr. Dwayne Thwaites along with a team of three other Urologists offered free prostate screening to hundreds of the Federation?s men at the 5th annual clinic held at the Occasions Conference Centre, Pinneys Industrial Site, on Saturday January 12th, 2013. Dr. Thwaites reported that there was a decline in the prevalence of prostate cancer [...]

Urologist Dr. Dwayne Thwaites along with a team of three other Urologists offered free prostate screening to hundreds of the Federation?s men at the 5th annual clinic held at the Occasions Conference Centre, Pinneys Industrial Site, on Saturday January 12th, 2013.

Dr. Thwaites reported that there was a decline in the prevalence of prostate cancer on Nevis, since the annual screening clinics commenced.

?The incidence and prevalence of prostate cancer in Nevis has dropped considerably in comparison to places that don?t do screenings and in reference, I am saying it?s very limited screening that they are doing in St. Kitts. We are also not seeing the late stage prostate cancer in comparison to other places. We also noticed the same thing in Antigua,? he informed.

In comparing the participation of 2012 to 2013, he noted that they are just a little bit above the number they had last year. ??We were expecting at least 400 and I think we are about 380 right now and there are still people trickling in,? he informed.

Some of the differences he noted were that they had many new clients this year compared to last year. ?We still had a few of the repeaters which we encourage especially being of African descent. We think that they should come every year and have their screening done,? he recommended.

Dr. ?Thwaites also noted that the attitude of the clientele towards prostate screening has changed in Nevis over the past few years. ?A lot of the younger population are coming in, people are more abreast and aware of the importance of prostate screening.?

Born of Nevisian parentage, Dr. Thwaites stressed on the importance of screening and assured the men that prostate cancer can be treated if caught early. His advice for reducing the risk of prostate cancer is cutting back on fatty and red meat. He suggested the consumption of broccoli, tomatoes and red fruits as preventative measures. Other preventative measures according to Dr. Thwaites are exercising, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet.

In speaking on the urology centre that he is spearheading in collaboration with the government of Nevis, he informed that the process is almost completed. ?The building phase is almost complete and then we just have to try to furnish the facility; the equipment, the anaesthesia machine, the fluoroscopy machine.?

He proudly informed that upon completion, the Nevis urology centre will be the first major sister suite in the Eastern Caribbean.

Dr. Thwaites was accompanied by Dr. Tasha Cooke, a consultant Urologist at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Dr. Daniel Caruso, a Board Certified Adult Urologist at the Jupiter Medical Centre in Florida and Dr. Brian Cohen who returned for the third time.

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland found right below the bladder ? but only in men. It is noted that if it is not treated, prostate cancer follows a natural course, starting as a tiny group of cancer cells that can grow into a full-blown tumor. In some men, prostate cancer that is not treated can spread (?metastasize?) and cause death.

According to research, every year 10-20 men in St. Kitts & Nevis are diagnosed with prostate cancer and many more may have prostate cancer but do not know it. It was noted that prostate cancer is not peculiar to St. Kitts and Nevis only; it is one of the most common forms of cancer in men around the world.

Prostate Cancer International (PCI) noted that every man who lives in St. Kitts & Nevis is at risk for prostate cancer and it is most common in older men; over 50 years of age. A regular physical examination and a simple blood test (called a PSA test) were recommended as the keys to early diagnosis. ?You should start having regular physical exams and PSA tests in your mid 40s or early 50s,? PCI suggested.

Source: http://www.sknclt.com/urologist-reports-decline-in-prevalence-of-prostate-cancer-in-nevis/

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