Once a man reaches 50 years of age he must visit a doctor to get a prostrate cancer check, says the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Jone Usamate.

He was speaking at the Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club’s annual Balls and Beards rugby tournament opening at the Cathedral School ground in Suva yesterday.

“Men’s health has been one of the least spoken of topics in Fiji and we thank the club for taking an initiative to highlight Movember in order to increase awareness on prostrate cancer,” Mr Usamate said.

He said men with prostrate cancer were presenting themselves late and in the incurable state.

“Prostrate cancer is curable when it is in stage one and stage two.”

Mr Usamate said it was unfortunate that the majority were presenting at stage four where palliative treatment was the only option to give some quality time to the patient’s last few days.

“It has been also seen that the iTaukei present more with the more aggressive or high grade cancers and in its late stages.”

He said the ministry needed to raise more awareness, increase advocacy and make the health system more accessible to men.

Club president Jope Tuivanuavou said the event was organised to raise funds for prostate cancer.

“The whole objective about it is to raise funds to assist in the creating of awareness on prostate cancer,” Mr Tuivanuavou said.

He said the club also aimed to encourage players to keep fit as they promoted the game of oldies rugby.

“We had encouraged families to come in and enjoy the day with us while they watch the rugby tournament and also help in raising the funds that we are aiming for.”

Last year, the club raised over $20, 000 out of which $15, 000 was given to the ministry to raise awareness on prostate cancer.

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