Soca artiste calls for early prostate screening

Callendar, the brand ambassador for “Stag Beerd Challenge” - a challenge to raise $100,000 by the end of November for early detection and screening for prostate cancer - yesterday first directed his attention to men at the launch of the challenge at the Queen’s Park Oval. “Beerd” a variation of the word “beard”, Callender said, is a symbol of masculinity, and people are aware of the effects the treatment for cancer can have on the mind and the body (including hair loss) and quality of life.

“Go. Get tested. I know a lot of men are a little uncomfortable in getting tested because of how the procedure is done. There is no shame in being healthy.

No shame in being there for your kids. No shame in being there for your brothers, sister or parents,” he said. In brief remarks, Stag Brand Manager Shehann Caruth said Stag was taking the first step among corporate sponsors to bring awareness about prostate cancer because the beer was marketed as “ a man’s beer.” Caruth noted that early detection rates of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are two times less the early detection rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This is due to a lack of awareness of the importance of early detection, and because of that, he said, Stag has taken the initiative to launch the Stag Beerd Challenge. Starting November 1, Stag will make an initial contribution of $50,000 towards detection and screening of the prostate. Thereafter, the challenge is for people using social media - Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, to post a selfie or video using the hashtags #STAGBEERDCHALLENGE #ACCEPTED, and Stag will add a $1 for the hastags posted each time in the bid to raise the additional $50,000 in meeting the $100,000 target.