A Non-Governmental Organization, Body Without Spot (BWS), has urged men to undertake periodic Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening to enable early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
The call was made by the Founder and Convener of BWS, Emeritus Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, at an event organized in partnership with the Enugu Sports Club on Monday in Enugu.
Okoye said prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers affecting men of African descent, including Nigerian men, who are at higher risk.
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. A vital part of the male reproductive system, it surrounds the urethra—the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. Its primary function is to produce prostatic fluid, a component of semen that nourishes sperm and provides a suitable environment for sperm survival.
Okoye explained that many men know very little about prostate disease and its risks, often avoiding or delaying simple screening tests like the PSA blood test, and “manage” symptoms for months or years before seeking medical help.
She regretted that despite awareness campaigns, many men are still diagnosed late—not due to lack of tests, but because of awareness gaps and a culture of silence.
“By the time they arrive at the hospital, treatment becomes complex, expensive, and survival rates are lower. Choosing not to screen has become a deadly decision, and this is what BWS has come to confront,” she said.
Okoye described the event as BWS’s pilot flagship initiative in the South-East, deliberately held at Enugu Sports Club to reach men whose decisions influence business, politics, faith, culture, and family life in the region.
She noted that BWS, formerly Breast Without Spot, has been committed since 2008 to cancer prevention, early detection, and advocacy in Nigeria, and commended government and academic partners, as well as international research collaborators including Stanford, Morehouse, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins.
“Imagine a South-East where men aged 40 and above know their PSA levels as they know their blood pressure. Let us refuse to stay silent while men die silently from a preventable, treatable disease. One man can influence a thousand,” she said.
Urologist Dr. Okezie Mbadiwe of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, said every man has a prostate as part of his sexual organ and that the gland is essential for optimal male reproductive health.
Dr. Chinweuba Odimba, also a UNTH Urologist, listed frequent urination, especially at night, weak or interrupted urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping urination, pain or burning during urination, and a feeling that the bladder doesn’t fully empty as possible symptoms of prostate cancer.
She added that some prostate cancer cases may be asymptomatic, making screening crucial for early detection. “When presented early with proper evaluation, the diagnosis can be better, and progression of the disease can be prevented through early treatment,” she said.
Dr. Vitalis Okwor, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, encouraged men between 40 and 50 years to monitor for symptoms and undergo PSA tests at least once or twice a year.
Prof. Chinedu Nebo, former Minister of Power and Chairman of the event, emphasized the need for men to embrace prostate cancer screening and overcome the culture of silence.
Prof. George Ugwu, Enugu State Commissioner for Health, said the event aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s health initiatives. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to collaborate with organizations like BWS to improve public health and called for reduced costs of prostate cancer screening and treatment.
The Chairman of Enugu Sports Club, Mr. Ifeanyi Nweke, pledged continued support for BWS and also urged the government to make prostate cancer treatment more affordable to expand access.
