Jamaican-led men’s health interest group donates scholarship

TORONTO:

A Jamaican-led men’s health interest and prostate cancer support group has chosen September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, to offer a scholarship to black medical students at the new Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine in Brampton, Ontario.

The first new medical school in the Greater Toronto Area in over 100 years officially opened last week with the inaugural cohort of 94 undergraduate medical learners, selected from more than 6,400 applicants.

The Walnut Foundation focuses on black men’s health, in particular prostate cancer, because 76 per cent are more likely to be diagnosed and over twice as likely to die from this disease.

“We’re proud to have recently made a down-payment on a $5000 annual scholarship for black medical students at the new TMU medical school right here in Brampton, and we have committed to four years of funding despite our limited resources, because we know having doctors from our community matters,” said Anthony Henry, a Jamaican-Canadian and president of the organisation at an event at Brampton City Hall where Mayor Patrick Brown proclaimed September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Dr. Trudy McFarlane, interim associate dean, Black Flourishing in Medicine and Healthcare, and assistant clinical professor, TMU School of Medicine is thrilled about the scholarship for its learners.

“The Walnut Foundation has been a pillar in our community, doing such great work, so it is really special to be partnering with them in this way.

“This scholarship plants a seed of opportunity that will grow into a legacy of flourishing. It is ubuntu in action, a shared responsibility to reduce barriers and lighten burdens so learners can truly thrive. It is beautiful to see our community come together to support our learners in this way.”

Dr. Teresa M. Chan, founding dean of the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Medicine, vice-president, medical affairs TMU, welcomes the scholarship, as well.

“The Dr. Winston Isaac – The Walnut Foundation Award will strengthen the TMU School of Medicine’s commitment to recruiting, training and retaining a new generation of physicians who reflect the diversity of our communities and patient populations. Under-representation in health care is a known driver of inequities, and this award will help future MDs address systemic barriers while delivering compassionate, community-rooted care.”

UPCOMING FREE CLINICS

During this month, Henry is urging black men to pay the CAD$40, get a PSA test and find out their baseline number or to take advantage of the free clinics offered by The Walnut Foundation or one of its community partners.

Noting that prostate cancer is no respecter of persons, race, religion or creed, he said that one in eight Canadian men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. According to Canadian Cancer Society, there will be 27,900 new cases and approximately 5000 deaths.

Henry thanked the City of Brampton for “being here every year to share our message about early screening, prevention, and amplify the work we do supporting men who have been diagnosed, sharing health education, advocacy and research, and investing in scholarships and endowments for medical students”.

Highlighting upcoming free clinics in Brampton at the CAA Centre on September 14, at Sheridan College in Mississauga on September 20, and at the IUPAT Union Hall in North York on October 14, he implored, “Let’s stop blaming the PSA test for over-treatment and understand that the test is one of the best we have to detect prostate cancer.”

There are often no symptoms of prostate cancer, especially in its early stages, but when caught early the five-year survival is close to 100 per cent.

There are simple tests for early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer, such as the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) and the digital rectal exam (DRE). PSA is a protein made by the prostate which shows up in the blood. Low levels of PSA in the blood are normal, but higher levels are a sign that there might be a problem with the prostate.

It is important for men to talk to their doctor about the PSA test when they turn 50, or 45 if they are at higher risk. DRE, commonly known as the “finger exam”, involves a doctor inserting a finger into the rectum to check the size and shape of the prostate and to feel for any lumps or abnormal areas.

The use of both tests together is better than using either test alone. If the PSA test and DRE suggest there might be prostate cancer, a doctor may recommend a follow-up PSA test or other tests. The only way to know that it is prostate cancer is with a biopsy and imaging tests like MRI, CT scans or bone scans may be used to see where the cancer is and if it has spread.

The Walnut Foundation has launched its September campaign to raise $20,000 to reach a milestone of $100,000 in support of community education and advocacy.