The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity at the weekend advocated regular prostate cancer checks for men above the age of 35.

It made the call during a free prostate cancer screening exercise where almost 100 men were checked for Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) at the Akerele Health Centre, Surulere, Lagos.

The outreach was done in partnership with Zanas Deck, Lagos Mainland, Hiroshima Deck, Japan, and the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).

President of Seadogs, Mainland Chapter, Nnaemeka Ezeokwelume, said the group carry out outreach every quarter and decided to focus on medical issues affecting men in its latest outreach.

“We live for humanity; what we can do to make the lives of people around us better. We decided to carry out prostate tests because it’s an issue affecting men and we have had members with the issue and decided to be proactive about it. A black man from age 35 is at risk of prostate cancer. So, this is a way to keep our men informed.”

Also speaking, LASHMA, Ikeja Divisional Coordinator, Steve Jennifer, said: “We are happy to partner with Seadogs because this is making an impact in the community. This is encouraging and we can only appreciate them. Lagosians will be able to know their prostate status, the stage and how to manage it. This is helping Lagos State in its drive for universal coverage and promoting healthy living in society.

A beneficiary, Wole Awe, said: “I have been going for this kind of medical check once a year in the last four years, and I saw this as an opportunity and decided to take it.

“This is one of the good gestures that should be commended, enlightening the people and encouraging them to do Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) for early detection.

“PSA test should be a national policy that once a person clocks 40, it must be checked. In terms of cost for the test, there should be a sustainable plan to fund and carry it out.”