Visiting on-site clinic introduces Prostate Cancer screenings

Bank Windhoek’s visiting on-site clinic, situated at the Bank’s Human Capital Department in Windhoek, will now offer quick finger prick Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening tests.

The screenings will help the Bank’s male employees, including those of its holdings company, Capricorn Group, detect prostate cancer at its earliest stage. Prostate cancer is the growth of cancer cells in the prostate gland in the male reproductive system. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other areas of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes.
Since early-stage prostate cancer has no symptoms or signs, it is usually detected through a PSA test. “With this in mind, assisted by our medical practitioner and a registered nurse, we availed a voluntary PSA screenings for any of our male staff who would like to be screened.
If the test indicate that prostate cancer may be present, more monitoring and testing is done via their doctor to diagnose prostate cancer or any other underlying cause,” said Bank Windhoek’s Corporate Wellness Consultant, Marjolize Scholtz.
The screening, which offers instant results, is aimed at saving the lives of male employees, since signs of the disease usually only present themselves at an advanced stage of the prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer is on the increase in Namibia and it is of great concern that most of the cases are only being diagnosed at a later stage of the cancer. Knowledge is key and can change the lives of men drastically,” said Scholtz.
Bank Windhoek has encouraged its male employees to visit the clinic for prostate cancer screenings and that they should also consider monthly testicular self-examinations and annual medical check-ups. “Men also need to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle, reducing lifestyle factors that increase their cancer risk,” added Scholtz. Men with advanced prostate cancer may have some of the below symptoms:
· Frequent urination.
· Weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to empty the bladder.
· The urge to urinate frequently at night.
· Blood in the urine and seminal fluid.
· New onset of erectile dysfunction.
· Pain or burning during urination, which is much less common.
· Discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate.
It is recommended that all men over the age of 50 go for annual prostate screening. Men, with a history of cancer in their family, need to go for screening from the age of 40 or even younger.
“We have successfully concluded a number of screenings and we are content with the response. The visiting on-site clinic will continue to ensure that our employees well-being is taken care of; cementing the Group as an employer of choice by providing a much needed offering as part of our Employee Value Proposition,” concluded Scholtz.