UMlazi man shares his prostate cancer journey, advocates for testing among Black men
Image: Supplied
An UMlazi man who survived stage 3 prostate cancer is using his personal journey to challenge stigma and raise awareness about a disease that disproportionately affects Black men in South Africa.
Dumisani Pakkies was diagnosed in 2020 despite having no symptoms.
'When I was diagnosed, I had no symptoms at all. Nothing. And yet, I was already at stage 3. That's why early detection is so important. We must stop being afraid of getting checked. That's the message I want every man to hear,' he said.
He began androgen deprivation therapy in January 2021, followed by brachytherapy in February and external beam radiation in July. 'I'm happy to say that I've been in remission since 2022. My PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is now undetectable, just 0.05,' he said.
Pakkies urged men to get tested regularly, especially those over 50 or with a family history of prostate cancer. 'There's no use in avoiding the doctor, only to end up in diapers – unable to walk or feed yourself,' he said.
He dismissed myths that prostate cancer is a 'white man's disease' or caused by witchcraft.
'If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for your children or loved ones. Let's talk about prostate cancer the same way we talk about soccer, politics, or religion. Because silence is killing us,' said Pakkies.
An accountant, Pakkies has become a passionate advocate for early screening, explaining the importance of the PSA blood test. 'A normal PSA level typically ranges between 0.2 and 4. Anything above this may warrant further investigation.'
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He also encouraged men not to fear the digital rectal examination. 'It's not as bad as people make it out to be. It takes about 20 seconds but that brief moment could be the difference between dying at 50 or living to 75.'
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane praised Pakkies for his bravery.
'By surviving prostate cancer and sharing his story, he is turning his pain into an opportunity for positive change,' she said. 'We want men to know that their strength is not in how much pain they can hide, but in how much life they are willing to fight for.'
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