The Sai Prema Foundation (SPF) in Fiji is offering free screening for Prostate Cancer next week, as part of its Movember awareness month.

To carry out this program, the Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Suva Golden Oldies Rugby Club (SGORC) where SGORC leverage’s over SPF’s various community service projects and initiatives reaches out to the general public.

SPF Project Manager, Pratin Lal said this would be the first time for Sai Prema to offer free screening for prostate cancer.

“We have just signed a collaborative partnership and this is the first step in keeping our side of the deal,” he said.

Mr Lal said SPF will be only facilitating these screening camps at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Medical Centre where SGORC would be doing the screenings from next week.

“There are no requirements for the screening. Call in and book an appointment or walk into the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Medical Centre,” he added.

He said SPF was very happy to be able to play their part in the fight against prostate cancer in Fiji.

“The subject is still taboo in our country and therefore these awareness campaigns will break barriers and hopefully encourage males to come forward and get tested,” he said.

“It has drastically affected the patients from receiving these services. And it is important to know that early detection saves lives. It’s as simple as that.”

SPF Director, Sumeet Tappoo said they had been collaborating with SGORC for the past number of years and has now decided to formalise this partnership.

“Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer type and regular screening can help to discover and treat the disease before it spreads,” he said.

Mr Tappoo also said this partnership was result in greater advocacy of the disease and more people would be screened which will be highly beneficial for the people of Fiji.

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