THE St Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association is once again highlighting the issue of prostate cancer this month,which is designated globally as Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

A release from the Association’s president Dr Rosalind Ambrose notes that prostate cancer is a significant affliction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and the SVG Medical Association continues to sensitize the population that the consequence of this disease is disastrous. Each year, we continue to lose several males to this potentially aggressive disease. To get ahead of this, males over the age of 50 should have yearly screening and to monitor the size of the prostate gland. Males who are age 40 and over with high risk factors(e.g. family history) should also have screening done, the release further states.

The Association says it is continuing to appeal to all males to be aware of this condition, where early symptoms include difficulty with the frequent or obstructed passage of urine.We urge males to be vigilant and give themselves the best chance of a good quality of life, the release continues.

The Association has extended an invitation to the general public to join it and other clubs and groups in its landmark event of the tug-of- war competition at Victoria Park on Saturday, September 24 from 3:30 p.m.

Several sports clubs, organisations and other groups have registered their participation in this show of strength in ‘Tugging Against Prostate Cancer’ in SVG.

Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the ‘Last Team Standing’.