Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
MEN are being urged to seek early testing for prostate cancer as delayed diagnosis continues to expose many to advanced disease, avoidable suffering and poorer treatment outcomes.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Island Hospice and Healthcare’s Manicaland branch coordinator, Mrs Alice Dube said prostate cancer remains one of the most under-discussed men’s health conditions, largely due to fear, stigma and misinformation surrounding screening.
“Many men only come forward when the disease is already advanced. By then, treatment options are limited, the body is weaker and the burden on the patient and the family is much heavier,” said Mrs Dube, adding that to raise awareness, Island Hospice and Healthcare spent November conducting campaigns focused on prostate cancer, encouraging men to prioritise early testing and to confront long-standing myths that discourage screening.
“Prostate cancer should not be something men discover by accident or at a crisis point. Early testing saves lives. It gives men options, control and time,” she said, adding that men often delay testing due to fear of the procedure, anxiety about results, or social expectations that discourage them from seeking help.
“There is a culture where men are expected to endure pain quietly. Some believe getting tested threatens their masculinity. Others fear being labelled as weak or sick,” said Mrs Dube, further warning that delays often lead to severe consequences that extend beyond physical illness.
“When men present late, they are not just dealing with the cancer itself. They are also dealing with fear of death, fear of being a burden, fear of losing their role in the family and society,” said Mrs Dube.
She explained that prostate cancer affects bodily functions closely linked to identity and intimacy, making the disease particularly difficult to cope with.
“This is a condition that touches on dignity, sexuality and self-worth. Without early intervention and support, men struggle quietly,” she said, adding that delayed diagnosis also leads to emotional distress, which can affect how patients respond to treatment.
“When the mind is overwhelmed, the body also struggles. Stress affects sleep, appetite, healing and adherence to treatment,” she said, adding that while prostate is a medical condition, experience of living with it requires holistic care that includes emotional and psychosocial support.
Prostate cancer also places strain on families, making partner and spousal support critical. Early testing reduces not only physical complications, but the overall burden of the disease.
“When cancer is detected early, men have more hope and less fear. They can plan, prepare and seek support before the disease takes over their lives,” she said.
However, she noted that misinformation remains a major barrier – as some avoid testing because of rumours or false information.
Mrs Dube said communities must play a role in encouraging men to take their health seriously and to support those living with chronic illness.
She urged families to create spaces where men can talk openly about health concerns
