Oct. 6, 2007 — George Blondell put it off and put it off. When he finally did go and get tested for prostate cancer, it was clear he had it. But he put it off some more, and didn’t seek treatment until he literally collapsed.
Victor Benoit also put it off. But one day, last April as he was listening to the radio, he heard Caswil Callender being interviewed. Callender is a prostate cancer survivor who was encouraging men not to ignore the threat. Benoit got tested, and bingo. He, too, had prostate cancer.
Callender hadn’t put it off. He tested yearly and caught it early.
All three men and other prostate cancer survivors from St. Thomas, joined workers at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute on Saturday, helping to sign in men who came to the Institute’s annual prostate cancer screening and answer questions those men might have about surviving prostate cancer.
CKCI Research Director Derrick Grant said screenings are especially important here since Caribbean men face an even higher rate of prostate cancer than African-American men, who they are twice as more likely to die from it than their Caucasian counterparts.
By day’s end, CKCI had tested 155 men for the disease. Grant said Saturday’s turnout was better than last year’s, not only because five more men showed up this year, but because last year’s screening was free. This year, CKCI had to charge $25 to offset the $50 cost of each test.
What most impressed Grant was the fact that approximately 90% of the men opted for a DRE, or digital rectal exam, in addition to the blood screening which measures PSA levels, a possible indicator of prostate cancer.
“It’s a big change,” said Grant, noting that last year, very few men opted for the DRE. He said television campaigns and outreach efforts by CKCI have helped turn around the thinking. “It doesn’t make you less of a man to get the DRE.”
“I absolutely refused to have the DRE,” said Callender, recalling his approach to the testing process. But one year, when his PSA level was high, “I had no choice.” Now, he said he tells men, “Get over it.”
Callender, along with several friends, founded a local support group at the urging of Callender’s urologist John Franklin. Franklin told Callender about a national organization called “Us Too” dedicated to supporting men facing prostate cancer and its aftermath, which can sometimes lead to sexual dysfunction and incontinence. The local chapter started last year and meets monthly at the Roy Lester Schneider Health Center. Anyone is welcome to join the survivors, sometimes to listen to speakers, sometimes to simply listen to each other.
“We invite women – oh yes.” said Joseph Lambert, a survivor. “They need to know about this too – so, yes – wives, girlfriends.”
“But not both at the same time!” quipped Melvin Norman, another founding member, who recalls his doctor telling him he had a high PSA level. “I didn’t know what a PSA was. I thought it was a government agency or something.”
Blondell quickly learned what PSA was when his level tested at 191. Anything above a level 5 is cause for concern. Still, he delayed seeking treatment for financial reasons. His hope now is that others don’t make the same mistake he did. His cancer has spread to his bones.
“Don’t be like me. I’m on the waiting list. If you can’t get rid of the cancer, you’re just waiting til the cancer gets rid of you,” he said.
Us Too meets regularly the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the hospital.
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