This message formed the core of discussions at a Men’s Health Symposium themed “Prostate Health: Management and Challenges,” held on Saturday in Ilupeju, Lagos. The event was organised by the Heritage Pacesetter Foundation in partnership with Kingsway International Christian Centre and Men of Honour, bringing together health professionals, advocates, and civil society leaders.
Providing a clinical overview of prostate cancer, public health physician Dr. Oguntibeju Adeyemi dispelled common myths surrounding the disease, stressing that sexual activity does not cause prostate cancer. Instead, he identified age, genetic predisposition, chronic infections, inflammation, and lifestyle factors as the major risk contributors.
According to him, one of the greatest challenges in managing prostate cancer is men’s reluctance to seek medical help early. He noted that many men remain silent or dismiss symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, reducing treatment options and survival chances.
The founder of the Heritage Pacesetter Foundation, Mr. Tunde Akande, said the symposium was inspired by personal loss and a determination to address persistent knowledge gaps around men’s health, particularly among men of African descent. He explained that prostate cancer disproportionately affects black men, with studies indicating that about one in four may develop the disease in their lifetime, especially from the age of 40.
Akande revealed that the foundation lost a close family member to prostate cancer due to late diagnosis, an experience that shaped its commitment to sustained advocacy.
“Prostate cancer is not a death sentence,” he said, adding that ignorance and delayed detection are often the real causes of preventable deaths. He emphasised that early screening significantly improves outcomes and can save lives.
He announced that prostate health awareness would remain a major focus of the foundation’s work between 2025 and 2026. As part of this commitment, plans are underway to institutionalise an annual Prostate Health Walk, beginning in 2026 and scheduled for every second Saturday in March. Akande also called on other organisations and community leaders to support the campaign.
“Our message is simple: go for screening, know your status, and take the right steps to protect your life,” he said.
Highlighting the connection between lifestyle-related illnesses and cancer risk, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Mrs. Bukola Martins-Akande warned that conditions such as diabetes could increase vulnerability to prostate and other cancers. She described diabetes as a “silent killer,” noting that it can remain undetected for up to a decade while causing damage to vital organs.
She explained that unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, prolonged sedentary behaviour, and excess abdominal fat contribute to insulin resistance, which sets off a chain of metabolic complications linked to chronic diseases.
Martins-Akande urged men to take responsibility for their health by embracing regular medical check-ups and making informed lifestyle choices. She cautioned against ignoring symptoms or attributing all health issues to spiritual causes, stressing that faith should complement, not replace, medical care.
Adding an advocacy perspective, Mr. Rotimi Aiyede of the Eniola Care Foundation spoke on the devastating impact of late cancer detection. He shared that the foundation was established following the death of Mrs. Eniola Akintunde’s husband from colon cancer, which was diagnosed at an advanced stage.
According to Aiyede, delayed diagnosis remains one of the biggest challenges in cancer management in Nigeria. He stressed that cancer can affect any part of the body and often becomes fatal when discovered too late.
He encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of medical outreaches and routine screening opportunities, noting that simple tests such as prostate screening or colonoscopy can make the difference between life and death.
Participants at the symposium also benefited from free medical check-ups conducted before the formal sessions began, reinforcing the event’s message that prevention and early detection remain the most effective tools in combating prostate cancer and other chronic diseases.