La Trinity Carnival Band gets set to shout about prostate cancer at Notting Hill Carnival
La Trinity Carnival Band is gearing up to raise awareness of the increased risk of prostate cancer in black men at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival. One in four black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime – double the lifetime risk faced by all men in the UK.
Urging black African and African Caribbean men to wise up to their risk of the disease, the 150-people-strong costume band will be out in force with Prostate Cancer UK volunteers to highlight the dangers – and what people can do about it.
A recent survey carried out by YouGov for Prostate Cancer UK revealed that nine in ten black men (90%), who are at higher than average risk of prostate cancer, are unaware of their increased vulnerability, and over two thirds (69%) of black men admitted that, even if they were aware but didn’t have any symptoms, they wouldn’t speak to their GP about it. It means thousands of black men may miss out on being diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment for the disease is most effective.
With its Trinidadian inspired roots, La Trinity has been taking part in the carnival for over 20 years. This year the band is determined to spread the message about prostate cancer and the importance of speaking to a health professional about the disease.
Suresh Rambaran is a member of the band and a Specialist Prostate Cancer Nurse at Prostate Cancer UK. He comments;
"reaches the people like nothing else and it’s a smooth move for Prostate Cancer UK and La Trinity to get together in this way to catch attention with a message that matters.
"An alarming one in four of us black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime but most have no idea of their special vulnerability to the disease. We still don’t know exactly why our community faces higher risk but we do know that the earlier the cancer is detected, the more treatable it is. Awareness of your risk and speaking to your doctor about it is therefore essential.
"I’ve been going to Notting Hill Carnival since 1978 – nowhere on earth compares to the vibrant, party atmosphere and I can’t wait to be part of it again. If you’re planning to come along, look out for La Trinity and the Prostate Cancer UK float and ask your partners, dads and brothers if they’ve spoken to their doctor about their prostate cancer risk. It could save their life."
Prostate Cancer UK has launched a campaign to find the answers behind the increased risk of prostate cancer in black men. To find out more and to help spread the word visit: www.prostatecanceruk.org/black-community
For further information about prostate cancer or to speak to a Specialist Prostate Cancer Nurse like Suresh, call 0800 074 8383 or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org.