Cancer scare spurs artiste to focus on health

Reggae singer Prestige Ally is urging men to get the screening tests they need after having a health scare when doctors discovered a large tumour in his bladder.

"Men should check their cholesterol, blood pressure, sugar level, and do PSA tests for prostate cancer, and skin cancer tests. Screenings can help find health complications and diseases early, when they're easier to treat. Men don't take good care of themselves and cancers and diabetes and hypertension are killing us off," he said.

Only a few months ago, Prestige Ally suspected the worse when the doctors told him that they had discovered the tumour.

"I was having some urinary issues, so I went to see the doctors and they ran some tests and said I had had a tumour. I was surprised and even a bit worried," he said. Eventually, his faith in God reassured him that everything would be alright.

"I was frightened .... yes and no .... because something was just telling me I was going to be alright. I've had so much miracles and close calls that I know I'd be good," the Spanish Town-born deejay said.

The doctors returned with good news.

"After a whole month of them checking and checking, they said the tumour was benign, it is not cancer. The doctors said they have never seen anything like that, and I am a case study, and they did the surgery and removed the tumour, so I am giving thanks," said the artiste, whose given name is Ali Higgins.

He is promoting his latest single, Don't Have a Clue, which celebrates his blessings and his good fortune.

"I wrote this song because there are people who don't know anything about me and who just feel like they know everything about me. The funny thing is that I did this song a week before my surgery, and the intro is really showing that I am living proof of it. People really don't have a clue of the things I have survived," he said.