Dear Kenyan Men,
You service your car every six months but when was the last time you serviced your body?
Too many of you have been raised to believe that strength is silence. To push through pain, endure without complaint, and avoid hospitals unless absolutely necessary. But while this idea of toughness persists, a silent opponent is working against you; prostate cancer.
According to a research article published by the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, prostate cancer is the leading cancer among Kenyan men, accounting for nearly one in five male cancer cases. Most diagnoses come late, not because it cannot be detected early, but because too many delay going for checkups. By the time symptoms like difficulty urinating or back pain appear, the disease may already be advanced.
Here’s the paradox: you faithfully service your cars, sharpen your tools, and tend to your livestock at dawn, yet rarely give your own health the same care. Ignoring your health isn’t strength; it’s surrendering the upper hand to prostate cancer.
Here’s a fun fact: A 15-minute test can add years to your life. A simple Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is quick, painless, and could mean being there to see your grandchildren grow. Yet, for many men, walking into a clinic feels unnecessary or even uncomfortable. Talking about the prostate, or male reproductive health in general, is often met with silence, stigma, or embarrassment. But silence is exactly what prostate cancer depends on. Breaking that silence, asking the difficult questions, and taking charge of your health is how you win the fight before it begins.
Real strength lies in responsibility. In showing up for your children’s graduations, your spouse’s milestones, and your family’s future. Getting screened is more than a medical act; it’s a powerful commitment to the people who depend on you. Your health is not just your own; it is your family’s stability, your community’s strength, and your legacy.
At PS Kenya, our purpose is better health and wellbeing for all Kenyans. That means tackling not only infectious diseases but also the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancers, hypertension, and diabetes. NCDs are now among the leading causes of illness and death in Kenya, yet most can be prevented or better managed if detected early. Through collective action, awareness, access to screening, and health education are being strengthened so that every Kenyan, man or woman, has the chance to live a healthier, longer life.
This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we urge you to “Have a PROstate of Mind.” Because being strong is not about silence but about action.
Silence won’t save lives. Action will. Talk to your doctor. Schedule a screening. Choose life; for yourself, and for those who love you.
