The need to promote discussions and debunk myths around men’s health was driven home at a round table discussion yesterday.

The event was hosted by CariGenetics together with Prostate Awareness Bermuda, men’s health group DailyMale and counselling organisation MASC Bermuda and held at the Police Recreation Club.

The founder and chief executive of CariGenetics, Carika Weldon, and DailyMale founder, urologist Jonathan Makanjuola, spoke about teaming up to study links between prostate cancer and genes among people of Caribbean descent.

The Caribbean Prostate Cancer Whole Genome Pilot Study is looking for men aged 18 years and over who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and who have four Caribbean grandparents.

The goal is, by identifying genetic differences, that genetic markers could be found to allow for more specific predictive screening and earlier intervention.

Dr Weldon said: “When it comes to treating cancer, we are in an age where we need to know the genetics because if we know that, we can treat the tumour properly.

“When it comes to breast and prostate cancer, a lot of the genetics is what you inherit.

“This is important for us because there has never been a study of the whole genome of people from the Caribbean. This is what makes what we are doing very exciting.”

Dr Weldon said, as part of the campaign, she hopes men will get a screening with DailyMale and register for the study.

Dr Makanjoula said prostate cancer was the most prevalent cancer seen in men and that there was an alarmingly high rate of death in Bermuda.

He said prostate cancer testing saved lives but there was a reluctance among men to get tested, not least because they wanted to avoid the invasive digital rectal exam. However, he said other options are available.

He encouraged men to have the prostate-specific antigen exam which is often the first telltale sign of a problem.

“The number one misconception is that prostate cancer equals symptoms,” he said. “That is not always the case.

“The second misconception is the finger test. That really gets men concerned. I have been saying for some time, that test is not necessary for screening.

“Studies are now coming out from the UK and other places questioning the utilisation of the digital rectal examination in screening saying that with the advent of MRI scans and more advanced imaging, you don’t need to do it.

“Even if we are encouraging men to get the PSA blood test that is a good thing.”

Dr Weldon said that people’s DNA was like a blueprint for a house and “if we understand genetically what is there we can predict what it will look like”.

She said: “If your PSA is elevated, physically something is there and we may be able to catch it earlier.

“Studies are finding that genetic testing is actually more sensitive for aggressive prostate cancers. We are getting it before you get there, that is the whole point of prevention.

“Translating that to care we can know where you are going and can get you on the right track so you can be prepared.”

Ernest Peets-Talbot, a therapist and international certified drug and alcohol counsellor, came representing MASC, a men’s support group.

He spoke about the results of a recent snapshot survey of men aged between 30 and 65 and their views on seeking mental health therapy.

Men, he said, had been reluctant to seek help, citing a fear of stigma, loss of pride and concerns about confidentiality.

Among the problems they encountered were anger management and depression, the majority saying they turned to prayer as a means to deal with it.

One incentive that would encourage respondents to seek help, added Dr Peets, was if they could share a space and experiences with other men who are in a similar position as them.

Dr Peets said MASC was “a private practice by men for men”.

He added: “All staff and clients are males. It provides a unique opportunity to bring clinical and good mental health services to men.

“We have crafted the best possible space for men to come and sit with one another, take off the mask and have a conversation about what is really going on.”

• Any organisation interested in supporting the “Hear His Story” campaign or the prostate cancer study is invited to e-mail Dr Weldon at carika@carigenetics.com or call 500-1982