By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Only men have prostates—and that small gland can lead to big problems when it comes to health. That’s the message behind a newly launched men’s health awareness campaign, spearheaded by Enrico Wolford and Andrew Douglas in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and BROCODE, a local nonprofit.
The initiative focuses on encouraging men aged 40 and over to get tested for prostate cancer, a disease that continues to silently take the lives of many men in Guyana.
“We want men to understand the importance of early detection,” said Douglas, Vice President of BROCODE. “Screening today is as easy as a simple blood test. With knowledge, we believe men will make the right decisions.”
The Urgency of Awareness
Prostate cancer often develops without early symptoms, making routine screenings essential. If left untreated, it can spread to the spine and bones, causing paralysis, fractures, and intense pain. According to recent data, 136 Guyanese men were diagnosed in 2024 alone, out of over 15,000 PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) tests conducted across public and private healthcare institutions.
The troubling part? Nearly half of the men diagnosed are already in stage four—a point where curative treatment is no longer viable.
“Too many men are dying because they find out too late. This campaign is about saving lives through awareness and action,” Wolford emphasized.
Breaking Stigma with Brotherhood
Both Douglas and Wolford agree that cultural stigma and misinformation often prevent men from seeking medical attention.
“Health must come before pride or embarrassment,” Wolford said. “Let’s dispel the myth that there’s shame in getting tested. Your health matters to you, your family—and yes, even to your partner.”
The campaign aims to decentralize access to testing and information, reaching men in rural and underserved communities across Guyana.
A Call to Action
This grassroots campaign calls on men to take responsibility for their health, and for women to support the men in their lives to get tested.
“Women are concerned too,” said Wolford. “They need your prostate to work properly—for intimacy, for family. So if you’re 40 or older, it’s time to get checked.”
