The Tribune

A PROSTATE screening initiative was launched in Cat Island on May 18.

The initiative pays tribute to Ulysees “Big Daddy” Davis, who died from the disease in 1991. The launch was held in his honour, and was conducted by his grandsons, event organiser Warren Davis and urologist Dr Greggory Pinto, who warned that prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in The Bahamas, with the country moving from 14th to the 10th highest incidence in the world.

Dr Pinto told Cat Islanders one in every six Bahamian men has the potential to develop prostate cancer in their lives.

The Sir Ulysses “Big Daddy” Davis Cancer Screening Non-Profit launch saw more than 100 men in Cat Island take part.

The screening sees a tiny amount of blood extracted and analysed.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis encouraged Bahamian men throughout the country to take advantage of the test, which does not involve the “dreaded finger” exam that has kept men from getting tested in the past.

“Bahamian men have always had concern about the prostate exam,” Mr Davis said. “But with this new innovation, the finger is no more and the embarrassment is no more - and that in itself is an attraction and an incentive for us to get tested.”

He added: “Men, it won’t stop you from doing the things you love to do. With early detection, it will help you to do even more. Here on the island, we grew up calling it ‘stoppage of water’ - well that was the prostate swelling up. With early detection, you can live with it; you won’t have to die from prostate cancer anymore.”

The Big Daddy Prostate Screening Saves Lives event was sponsored in part by: AID; Biospy; Pinnacle Biolabs; Urology Care Bahamas; Bay Street Medical; Star Apple; Oaktree Medical; Cat Island Medical; BTC and Aliv.