Yesterday, the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne M. Caines, JP, MP, gave an impassioned speech at the unveiling of the Bermuda Police Service's (BPS) Cancer Awareness Tribute Vehicle in front of City Hall.
Minister Caines said, “I am honoured to be present at the unveiling of this motor car and would like to thank Constable Williams for her vision to help our community. Breast cancer is a significant illness that effects many women and families. Early detection has the potential to significantly reduce the effects of the illness and I encourage all women to have regular mammograms.”
” I also want to speak to men about prostate health. As you know, November is Prostate Health Month and I will share with you my own personal journey. Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, it was through early detection and a radical prostatectomy that I am now cancer free and can continue living a healthy life. I owe my healing to good medical treatment, early detection, a supportive, loving family and the community. I strongly advise and ask that the men in our community who are not typically fond of prodding and having their checkups, go face their fear and get checked. This applies particularly to men of colour as prostate cancer disproportionately affects us. If you have a history of cancer in your family, you should be checked form age 35 and up. If you are a Bermudian male, a good age to start prostate exams is 40 years of age.”
Minister Caines said in closing, “Again, I would like to thank the uniformed services who are on this day out celebrating life in huge numbers. You are doing your best to encourage early testing and screening.”
Photo includes: From L-R, Chief Fire Officer Lloyd Burchall, Constable Nigel Richardson, Superintendent Na’imah Astwood, Minister Wayne Caines, Constable Linnell Williams, Commissioner Corbishley . In front is Tayla-Jae Harrell, daughter of Constable Latasha Gibson (who succumbed to cancer in 2017).