There is a conversation that could save lives, yet too many South African men are still not having it.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in South Africa, according to Globocan, the specialised cancer research agency of the World Health Organization. It is also the second deadliest cancer among South African men after lung cancer.
Yet awareness remains worryingly low.
As September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the annual Hollard Daredevil Run is once again putting prostate and testicular cancer firmly in the spotlight, urging South African men to understand their risk, learn about screening and take action early.
The 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run takes place on 23 October, with funds raised supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa (PCF) and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
The Awareness Gap Is Hard to Ignore
The scale of the awareness challenge is highlighted by research conducted in South Africa.
A 2023 study among Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Free State found that fewer than one in four had heard of prostate cancer before their diagnosis.
Another 2023 study among men in Limpopo found that almost two-thirds had inadequate awareness of prostate cancer, while more than 80% had no knowledge of screening methods.
These findings matter because South African men face significant risks.
One in four Black men and one in eight white men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Black African men also face a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than white men and are 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease, according to information cited by the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, says Black African men may also be more likely to develop an aggressive form of the disease than Black American men.
Studies across Africa are investigating genetic factors that could help explain this increased risk.
Early Detection Can Change the Picture
The numbers become particularly important when prostate cancer is detected early.
When prostate cancer is found and treated before it has spread beyond the prostate, more than 99% of men are still alive five years after diagnosis, according to the information supplied in the campaign release.
Yet late presentation remains a significant challenge.
A new 2026 South African study by researchers from Walter Sisulu University found that late presentation of prostate cancer remains widespread. The study highlighted challenges involving early detection, delayed referrals and limited access to PSA testing.
That is why understanding screening matters.
What Is a PSA Test?
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein produced by the prostate.
A simple blood test can measure PSA levels. The result can help identify men who may require further investigation for prostate cancer.
A high PSA level does not by itself establish a prostate cancer diagnosis. It may lead to further investigation and referral to a urologist.
The press release states that men at higher risk should have annual PSA screening from age 40, while men at average risk should start screening at age 45.
The Silent Problem
One of the biggest challenges with prostate cancer is that early disease usually causes no symptoms.
That means feeling healthy does not necessarily mean that prostate cancer is not present.
Oberholzer says regular, age- and risk-appropriate PSA screening can give men a better chance of finding the disease early, when treatment may potentially be curative and outcomes are generally better.
This makes awareness particularly important.
Waiting for a warning sign may mean waiting until the disease has progressed.
Know the Signs of Advanced Disease
While early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, advanced prostate cancer can present with symptoms including:
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone pain
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue
Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should speak to a healthcare professional.
But the central message of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is that men should not wait for symptoms before learning about their risk and discussing screening.
Age and Family History Matter
Prostate cancer is uncommon in men under 40, but the risk increases with age.
Family history can also significantly affect risk.
Having a close relative, particularly a father or brother, with prostate cancer can increase a man’s risk. The younger that relative was when diagnosed, the higher the associated risk.
A family history of breast cancer is also associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
According to the information supplied in the release, inherited genetic factors are estimated to account for up to 57% of a man’s susceptibility to developing prostate cancer.
Knowing your family history can therefore form an important part of understanding personal risk.
South Africa Is Building a Bigger Picture
There is another major challenge: South Africa currently does not have accurate data showing how common prostate cancer is among South African men.
That is set to change.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation has announced that the country’s first comprehensive Prostate Cancer Registry is being developed.
The registry is being developed in partnership with Health Quality Assessment (HQA), a non-profit data analysis organisation, along with various medical professional societies.
The goal is to strengthen the country’s understanding of prostate cancer and the information available around the disease.
The Daredevil Run Is Turning Awareness Into Action
For the Hollard Daredevil Run, awareness is about more than one day on the calendar.
The annual campaign uses its platform to encourage men to talk about prostate and testicular cancer, understand their personal risk and consider screening.
Funds raised through the 2026 run will support the Prostate Cancer Foundation and CANSA, helping with awareness, education, patient support and extending PSA screening into communities where access remains limited.
“Low awareness, limited access to screening and the life-saving potential of early detection are at the heart of the Hollard Daredevil Run,” says Adél Kriel, Hollard South Africa’s Head of Experiential Marketing.
She says too many South African men still know too little about prostate cancer, their personal risk and the importance of screening.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
The message from the Prostate Cancer Foundation is straightforward.
Oberholzer urges South African men not to wait for symptoms before taking action.
Know your risk. Speak to a healthcare provider or local clinic. Get screened.
Prostate cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. That is precisely when early detection can make an important difference.
And this September, the conversation is about making sure more men know that before it is too late.
2026 HOLLLARD DAREDEVIL RUN
Date: 23 October 2026
Purpose: Raising awareness of prostate and testicular cancer
Beneficiaries: Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa and CANSA
For registration and information about the 2026 Hollard Daredevil Run, visit the official Hollard Daredevil Run website.
For more information about prostate cancer, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and CANSA.
Information:
Hollard Daredevil Run: https://www.hollard.co.za/daredevilrun
Prostate Cancer Foundation: https://prostate-ca.co.za/
CANSA: https://cansa.org.za/prostate-cancer/
