A prostate health advocate, Mr. Dennis Olise has made a call to men to prioritise regular prostate cancer screenings.
During a health talk, organised for the staff and management of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Olise shared his personal survival story, emphasising that late detection and cultural silence around prostate cancer cost lives.
He counselled: ‘Men need to start seeing prostate screening as a routine part of their health checks. The silence, the fear, and the myths must be broken. Early detection saved my life – it can save yours too’.
The session provided practical information on risk factors — including age, family history, lifestyle habits and ethnicity – alongside common symptoms such as urinary changes and pelvic discomfort.
Olise also debunked widespread misconceptions that prostate cancer only affects the elderly, that frequent sexual activity (21 times per month) prevents the disease, that prostate cancer is a spiritual attack, and that a prostate cancer diagnosis is automatically a death sentence among others myths.
LSPWC’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taofeek Shonubi commended the session, underscoring the corporation’s dedication to employee wellbeing.
‘While our core responsibility is to maintain Lagos roads, our greatest asset is our people. This annual health talk is part of our commitment to safeguarding their health. Mr. Olise’s story and the medical insights shared today are invaluable. We strongly encourage all staff, especially men over 40, to make screening a priority’, he admonished.
A family medicine physician at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Damilare Soyemi provided the clinical perspective, reinforcing the medical urgency for regular screening.
He said: ‘Prostate cancer is highly treatable when detected early, but unfortunately remains a leading killer due to delayed diagnosis. Men over 40 — especially those over 50 or with a family history — should discuss annual screening options like the PSA test with their doctor. Ignoring symptoms or avoiding check-ups out of fear can have serious consequences’.
Olise has continued his nationwide prostate cancer awareness campaign through radio engagements, newspaper articles (including his widely published piece, “Let’s Break the Silence on Prostate Cancer Now” in The PUNCH and Champion newspapers, and community outreach.
His mission is to empower men with knowledge, dismantle stigma, and drive early screening to save lives.
