Opinion piece by Dr Frank Harry Bonfils-Persson,
Clinical Radiation Oncologist in the Vaal Triangle

The month of November is known as “Movember”, which is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches to raise awareness for Men’s Health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.

According to the 2019 National Cancer Registry the lifetime risk for prostate cancer in South Africa is 1 in every 15 man. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men globally and is showing a significant increase.

Prostate cancer belongs to the group of most curable cancers and can have a 99% 5-year survival rate, specifically for stage 1 and 2 cancers. Prostate monitoring typically starts at the age of 50 years, if there is no family history of cancer. If there is a strong family history of cancer, then screening will typically start at the age of 40 years. Advanced stage prostate cancer and/or aggressive histology is more common amongst black men. It does tend to run in families, so it is important to know your family history.

The blood test used for monitoring the prostate for possible prostate cancer is called a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). The PSA is a protein produced exclusively by the prostate. Its function is to stop the prostate fluid from clotting. PSA is one of our best cancer markers as it is specific and very sensitive detecting possible prostate cancer. Screening always includes a history from the patient to determine any possible symptoms followed by a rectal prostate examination and a PSA blood test.
Early-stage prostate cancer has typically no symptoms. Late symptoms can include frequent passing of urine, difficulty in passing urine, weak or interrupted urinary stream, blood in urine or in sperm/ejaculation. Worst possible symptom is bone pains as this indicates that the cancer has spread to the bone (stage 4 metastatic disease).

Possible treatment, depending on the stage of the cancer, can include a radical prostatectomy, or radiation therapy, or Brachytherapy (implanting of radioactive seeds), or a combination of these treatments with hormonal injections.

To read more about prostate cancer or the available treatment, visit our Vaal Prostate Brachytherapy Institute website at: www.prostatebrachytherapy.co.za
Body awareness is of utmost importance to detect cancer early.

• Information provided by Dr Frank Harry Bonfils-Persson, Clinical Radiation Oncologist.

Discover a new horizon in cancer care at Netcare Vaalpark Hospital, Sasolburg. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Frank Bonfils-Persson, with a quarter-century of oncology experience, we offer hope and healing. Our full-spectrum services, from advanced treatments to compassionate hospice care, are accessible to all, thanks to our partnerships with all major Medical Aid Schemes. Choose Netcare Vaalpark Hospital, where your health journey is honored, and your well-being is our mission. Visit us and feel the difference in care we provide.

Contact Details:
F.P. Oncology – Clinical & Radiation Oncologists.
Netcare Vaalpark Hospital | 40 Karas Ave, Roodia, Sasolburg
016 004 0179 / 016 414 4183