CAY HILL--A record 502 men participated in St. Maarten Medical Center’s annual Men’s Health Day, with screening results showing that 57 men recorded PSA levels between 4.0 and 9.9 ng/mL, a range considered elevated and requiring medical follow-up. An additional 15 men recorded PSA levels of 10 or higher, meaning 72 of the 502 men screened had PSA results of 4.0 or above.
The October 3 event, organized by SMMC in collaboration with the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, provided free screenings for prostate cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV. The turnout marked a major increase from the 150 men screened during the previous year’s event.
The PSA results are significant because an elevated PSA does not automatically mean that a man has prostate cancer, but it can indicate that further medical evaluation is necessary. PSA levels can also be affected by conditions such as an enlarged prostate, inflammation or infection. Men with elevated results are generally advised to follow up with a medical professional to determine the cause and whether additional testing is required.
According to the statistical breakdown provided by SMMC, 430 men had PSA values below 4.0, 57 recorded PSA values from 4.0 to 9.9, and 15 recorded PSA values of 10 or higher. That means approximately one in seven of the men screened had a PSA result of 4.0 or above.
SMMC said men with elevated PSA results were scheduled for follow-up consultations. The screenings were led by SMMC urologists Dr. Carlos Rojas, Dr. Diego Ramos and Dr. Francisco Pinto, who were joined by other medical specialists who volunteered their time to support the initiative.
To participate in Men’s Health Day, men were required to complete a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test beforehand. Community PSA screening events were held on September 12 and 19 at both NAPA locations. Although most local insurance providers cover PSA testing, SMMC and its partners ensured that uninsured men could also receive the test at no cost through the hospital’s ongoing partnership with St. Maarten Laboratory Services.
Men requiring further evaluation were able to schedule appointments with SMMC’s Urology Clinic or Radiology Department.
The increase to 502 participants represents a sharp rise from the 150 men screened at the previous year’s Men’s Health Day and points to stronger participation in preventative health screening among men.
The event was supported by St. Maarten Laboratory Services, SZV Insurances, Guardian Group Dutch Caribbean, NAPA and the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation. Orco Bank joined the initiative this year through its Orco Bank Cares program.
“This event is one of the many ways SMMC gives back to the community,” SMMC Communications Assistant Alacia Jiwanand stated. “It would not be possible without SMMC’s dedicated staff volunteers from our Outpatient Department and Social Committee and our corporate partners, including SLS, NAPA, SZV, Guardian Group, the SXM AIDS Foundation and Orco Bank”.
Appointments with SMMC’s Urology Department can be made by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 or 910, extension 1379, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. PSA testing is available throughout the year at SLS locations.
SMMC will next host its annual Women’s Health Day on Saturday, October 31, offering free breast cancer screenings and additional health checks in collaboration with the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, Guardian Insurances, SZV, the American University of the Caribbean, the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation and Orco Bank.
