Lokoja: The Inclusive Cancer Care Research Equity (i-CCARE) Consortium for Black Men has urged men aged 45 and above to undergo routine Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening to improve the early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
The appeal was made on Monday by Dr Ayodeji Ogunmola, the Team Leader and Principal Investigator of i-CCARE at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, during the sixth monthly Prostate Cancer Patients’ Support Group meeting at the hospital.
Ogunmola, a Consultant Urologist, described early diagnosis as the most effective strategy for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes among prostate cancer patients.
He noted that prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the male population.
“I encourage every man aged 45 and above to undergo routine PSA screening. Anyone with an abnormal result should promptly consult a doctor for further evaluation,” he said.
He explained that PSA screening helps identify men at increased risk of prostate cancer, enabling doctors to carry out confirmatory tests and commence appropriate treatment at an early stage.
According to him, the monthly support group is part of an ongoing research project jointly funded by i-CCARE, the Urology Unit of FTH Lokoja and the Cancer of the Prostate Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC).
Ogunmola said both organisations were founded by Prof. Folakemi Odedina, a Professor of Haemato-Oncology at the Mayo Clinic, United States.
He explained that the research seeks to evaluate how patient support groups improve quality of life while reducing anxiety, depression and treatment discontinuation among prostate cancer patients.
“The study is assessing how support groups enhance patients’ quality of life and help reduce anxiety, depression and treatment dropout rates,” he said.
He noted that participation in the programme had grown steadily since its launch in February 2026, with many patients now attending voluntarily.
According to him, the increasing turnout reflects a gradual decline in the stigma and silence traditionally associated with prostate cancer.
“We are challenging misinformation and breaking the stigma surrounding prostate cancer. Many men still prefer to suffer in silence because they do not want others to know what they are going through,” Ogunmola said.
He disclosed that some participants make significant financial sacrifices to attend the monthly meetings and appealed for support for patients facing economic hardship.
Ogunmola also commended the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, led by Prof. Abdulrahman Shehu, for providing a conducive environment for the support group meetings.
He further encouraged patients to enrol in the Social Determinants of Health Programme under the National Cancer Care Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to access additional support services.
In a lecture titled “Strengthening Social Connections and Networks During Prostate Cancer Treatment,” Consultant Public Health Physician, Dr Abimbola Adesanya, underscored the importance of strong social support systems in improving treatment outcomes.
She said families, friends, healthcare professionals, religious institutions, communities and patient support groups all play critical roles in helping patients cope with diagnosis and treatment.
According to Adesanya, support groups help reduce stigma, encourage information sharing and motivate patients to maintain a positive outlook throughout their treatment journey.
Patients who attended the meeting commended the organisers for providing continuous education, counselling and emotional support through the monthly sessions.
They said the meetings had deepened their understanding of prostate cancer, improved their ability to manage their health and reassured them that a diagnosis does not prevent them from living active and productive lives.
The event concluded with the presentation of free T-shirts to members who had consistently attended the monthly support group meetings.
