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Dr. DORIS UDENSI Explains Why
For many Nigerian men, conversations about Prostate health remain uncomfortable and are often avoided until serious complications arise. However, according to the Chief Executive Officer of The Charly Boy Foundation, Dr. Doris Udensi, this culture of silence is one of the major reasons many men die from preventable illnesses.
Speaking during a Media parley organised by the Charly Boy Foundation in Lagos, Dr. Udensi stressed that Prostate health should become a priority for every man, especially from middle age, adding that regular medical screening could save countless lives.
According to her, the Charly Boy Foundation was established after its founder, veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, successfully survived Prostate cancer.
“Our chairman went through Prostate cancer and, by the grace of God, recovered. Rather than keep the experience to himself, he decided to establish the Charly Boy Foundation to help other men become aware of the dangers of prostate disease and the importance of early detection,” she explained.
Dr. Udensi disclosed that although the foundation is widely known for Prostate cancer awareness, its interventions extend beyond prostate health. She explained that the organisation also focuses on diabetes, mental health and other illnesses affecting Nigerian men.
According to her, “When you talk about prostate disease or diabetes, the first thing that is usually affected is a man’s mental health. Many begin to ask themselves, ‘Am I still a man?’ Unfortunately, because society has conditioned men not to express pain or emotions, many suffer in silence.”
She noted that many men avoid discussing health issues affecting their sexual organs because they fear ridicule or believe admitting illness makes them appear weak.
Dr. Udensi clarified one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding prostate disease. She explained that every man naturally has a prostate gland.
“A lot of people tell me, ‘I have prostate.’ I always tell them every man has a prostate. It is part of the male reproductive system. What becomes a problem is when the prostate enlarges or develops cancer.”
She described the prostate as a small gland located between the bladder and the urethra, explaining that as men grow older, it naturally increases in size. According to her, once the enlargement becomes excessive, it begins to compress the urethra, making it increasingly difficult for urine to flow normally.
Dr. Udensi warned men never to ignore difficulty in urination. She explained that one of the earliest symptoms of prostate enlargement is poor urinary flow.
“If you find yourself standing in the toilet for several minutes before urine begins to flow, or the urine comes out slowly in drops, don’t ignore it. Go and see a urologist immediately.”
She warned that delaying treatment could lead to urine retention, infections, bladder stones, kidney damage and, in some cases, prostate cancer. According to her, urine is a waste product that the body must eliminate.
“When urine remains inside the body because it cannot flow properly, it becomes dangerous. Bacteria multiply, infections develop and more serious complications can occur.”
Dr. Udensi urged Nigerian men to become familiar with one medical test many have never heard about — the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. She lamented that whenever she asks men if they know their PSA level, many have no idea what she is referring to.
“Every man should know his PSA number just like people know their blood pressure or blood sugar level.”
She explained that a normal PSA reading is generally between 0 and 4 ng/mL, adding that values above the normal range require prompt medical evaluation. She stressed that while an elevated PSA does not automatically mean cancer, it is an important warning sign that should never be ignored.
One of Dr. Udensi’s strongest messages was Nigeria’s poor culture of preventive healthcare. According to her, many Nigerians only seek medical attention after illnesses have become severe.
“We don’t practise preventive medicine. We wait until people become seriously sick before seeking treatment.”
She argued that developed countries encourage annual health examinations, with hospitals reminding patients whenever their next check-up is due. She believes Nigeria should embrace the same culture.
“My advice is simple. Go for a complete medical check-up at least once every year. If possible, every six months.”
Beyond Prostate disease, Dr. Udensi warned that diabetes and hypertension remain silent killers affecting millions of Nigerians. She explained that uncontrolled diabetes damages blood vessels and weakens the body’s ability to fight infections. According to her, untreated infections can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which infection spreads through the bloodstream to vital organs. She also described Hypertension as an invisible threat that forces the heart to work excessively.
“The heart continues pumping under high pressure until it eventually becomes exhausted. Once the heart fails, there is no coming back.”
Dr. Udensi encouraged Nigerian men to speak openly whenever they experience health challenges instead of suffering in silence.She said many lives could be saved if men discussed their symptoms early enough.
“You never know where your help will come from if you speak up.”
She cited Charly Boy himself as a living example. Unlike many people who hide their illnesses, she noted that the veteran entertainer openly discussed his diagnosis and treatment journey.
According to her, his openness eventually connected him with one of the world’s leading prostate specialists in London. That relationship, she revealed, later led to the establishment of a specialist prostate clinic in Lagos by the same medical expert, thereby expanding access to quality prostate care for Nigerians.
Dr. Udensi concluded with a passionate appeal to Nigerian men to stop neglecting their health. She urged them to know their blood pressure, blood sugar and PSA levels, maintain regular hospital visits and seek professional medical help immediately whenever unusual symptoms develop. According to her, “Most illnesses can be successfully treated when detected early. Early diagnosis saves lives. The earlier you know your health status, the greater your chances of living a long and healthy life.”
For Dr. Doris Udensi, the message is simple but urgent: Every man owes himself the responsibility of paying attention to his prostate, because awareness, early detection and timely treatment remain the most effective weapons against prostate disease and many other silent killers.
-Jamiu Abubakar
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