Belizean Men Urged to Take Action on Their Health
Men are showing up, but are they taking action when it counts? That’s the question driving today’s Men’s Health Forum at the Belize Civic Center, where dozens of men put their health in focus and experts pushed a simple message: don’t wait until it’s too late. From hard truths about late diagnoses to candid conversations about fear and stigma, doctors, advocates, and survivors challenged men to rethink their approach to checkups and prevention. News Five’s Shane Williams was there as the Belize Cancer Society, and its partners took the conversation beyond awareness and straight into action.
Shane Williams, Reporting
More than one hundred and fifty men were present at the Belize Civic Center today, leaning in as Dr. Irvin Gabourel tackled one of the biggest barriers to men’s health, fear of the digital rectal exam. He walked the audience through a newer, less intimidating screening option, sparking honest conversation and, for many, a sense of relief about getting checked. It is an examination that men over forty are recommended to take once every year to screen for prostate cancer. While many men shy away from the digital rectal exam, health professionals say the bigger problem is getting them through the hospital doors in the first place. Now, doctors and advocates are stepping up their outreach, working to break down fear, stigma, and silence that keep too many men from seeking care at all. Psychologist, Dr. Claudina Cayetano says the problem is men wrongly seeing hospital visits as a sign of weakness.
Dr. Claudina Cayetano
Dr. Claudina Cayetano, Mental Health Advisor, Pan American Health Organization
“There’s many factors. Among them is the fear of being diagnosed and the fear of feeling weak, and that by seeking help they think that they shouldn’t be because men have been taught to always be strong, be the protector. You know, all these prejud- I guess, issues that instill into them it makes them more vulnerable by not seeking help. What we want them to know is that seeking help is a strong man seeks help. A strong man wants to be healthy, and being healthy means that it’s okay to ask for help to take care of themselves.”
One man who took action early, and is here today because of it, is Earl Jones, former Chief Executive Officer of the Kolbe Foundation and Secretary General of the Football Federation. He is encouraging brothers to focus on their health.
Earl Jones
Earl Jones, Cancer Survivor
“What I mentioned to the audience this morning is that early testing is very important. Yeah? A change of lifestyle is also very important. But most importantly is to put your trust in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Shane Williams
How was your faith instrumental in surviving?
Earl Jones
“My faith helped me to remain sane, I must put it. That I trusted in the Lord, I placed my burdens at His feet, and I worried less. That helped me through tremendously.”
Longtime Cancer Society member Dr. Hugh Sanchez says he hopes more testimonies like Earl Jones’ are shared to open the eyes of Belizean men and raise awareness on the importance of testing.
Hugh Sanchez
Dr. Hugh Sanchez, Pathologist
“From the testimony by Mr. Jones in regards to his journey, I would hope that that was enough to sensitize us to be mindful that even though you may appear to be well, you still need to do your yearly checks and do your screening for those diseases or cancers that are prevalent among men. And the Society is always there and the Men’s Forum panelists is always at the Society, and we are there to advise, encourage and to be a part of the journey with you.”
Throughout the day, experts led discussions on primary care, nutrition, mental health, and caregiving, but the message coming through loud and clear was the same.
Earl Jones
“This is the time to start thinking about taking care of yourself if you have not been doing so before because cancer is nothing – nothing nice. It takes away your finances and after it’s done it kills you.”
Shane Williams for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.