Clifford Roberts is encouraging more men to talk openly about their health as he prepares for the fourteenth AXA XL Man on the Run 5K at Warwick Academy next month.
The event on Sunday, November 8, aims to raise funds for men’s cancer initiatives in Bermuda and was inspired by Roberts’s observations of women speaking openly about their experiences at breast cancer events.
As chairman of the Man on the Run Committee, Roberts wanted to create a similar opportunity for men to discuss their health and address the taboos surrounding prostate cancer.
“I’d thought for a long time about doing something in the community to raise awareness about prostate cancer,” Roberts told Bernews.
“It’s all about educating men and encouraging them to get checked in the early stages.”
Roberts’s commitment to the cause became particularly personal in 2023, when he experienced prostate-related symptoms while in Santiago, Chile, as manager of the Bermuda cycling team at the Pan American Games.
“I had some tests and they discovered my prostate was enlarged and I returned to Bermuda,” the 56-year-old said.
“I didn’t have cancer, but I was experiencing the same symptoms.
“I was advised by my doctor to have a transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP] procedure.”
Roberts has continued to encourage men to seek medical advice and discuss their concerns.
“This event means a lot to me,” he said. “I was an advocate from the jump, and after about ten years, I became a patient.”
Roberts believes the event has helped change attitudes towards men’s health.
“Since we started this event, awareness has grown, men are talking about [enlarged prostates and prostate cancer] and they’re not afraid to talk about it,” he said.
“The word is getting out because every week someone stops me on the street to talk about an enlarged prostate or saying they’ve had a prostate cancer diagnosis.”
Roberts also established Prostate Awareness Bermuda, a support group that meets at Blue Waters Anglers’ Club on East Broadway on the second Thursday of each month.
“Men come to listen to the stories of men who have undergone the various treatments because treatment options differ,” he said.
“Hopefully, the support group helps men make better decisions regarding their treatment.
“The meetings are very informative. Dr Jonathan Makanjuola [a consultant urologist at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital] often comes along to discuss what he’s doing in Bermuda and the Caribbean and advises us on the new technologies.”
Roberts said raising awareness was particularly important in Bermuda, where he said one in four Black Bermudian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“It’s important men know that the digital rectal exam is no longer required,” he said.
“People can have a PSA test, which is taking blood, which gets rid of the taboo about going to see the doctor,” he added.
Funds raised will go towards Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, including its radiation therapy centre and equal access fund.
The centre provides services without a co-pay, including cancer navigation, oncology services and radiation therapy.
The event features a junior 2.2K run for boys aged seven to ten.
The other categories begin at 9am and include a 5K run, competitive walk and non-competitive run/walk.
The 5K run and competitive walk are open to participants aged ten and older.
Workplaces, schools, sports clubs and groups of friends are encouraged to participate, while entrants can raise additional funds through sponsorship from friends, relatives and colleagues.
Registration and further information are available through Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s event page.