St. Kitts and Nevis PM Drew urges men to get prostate screenings

St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew recently had his prostate tested in a bid to encourage all men of screening age to get tested. He said that as he is a black Caribbean man over the age of 40, they tend to develop the most aggressive type of prostate cancer, which makes it necessary to get timely checkups. While reflecting on Advisor Austin Edinborough’s journey with this disease from the first day he was diagnosed, the several tests, biopsy, trip to Cuba, and eventually becoming cancer-free, PM Drew noted that he is reminded that there is hope. “Had he not gotten tested, he most likely would have had an advanced disease instead of being healthy and full of life,” he added while asking everyone to get themselves tested at the earliest.

The Prime Minister continued to say that he spoke of his journey because he made his health history public and gave him permission to speak of it publicly as well. He called his journey ‘inspirational’ and noted that it is one of proactiveness, advocacy, and the fight for life.

He urged everyone to get tested and fight this severe disease together. “Black Caribbean men 40 and above, let us get tested. There are free men’s clinics available at every health center in St. Kitts. The sad news is that our men are not attending in large numbers. Get tested, my fellow men; let us beat prostate cancer together,” stated the PM.

This step of Dr. Drew has been lauded by several people from across St. Kitts and Nevis, who said that the reminder and the encouragement were necessary for the ones who are afraid to get themselves tested.

People took to Facebook to hail him as a leader, with one user saying, “Thanks for the encouragement, Mr PM I, to always encourage young men to go and get tested. I do every six months.”

Another user named Kween shared her own experience and noted that she had a friend who passed away from prostate cancer because he was afraid to have anyone go there. She further emphasized, “Detection from testing saves lives...I endorse this message.”