Awareness is crucial in the fight against prostate cancer
Tens of thousands of South African families are affected by the disease.
WHILE prostate cancer does not receive the kind of public attention that some other forms of cancer do, it nevertheless impacts tens of thousands of South African families of all races every year.
No fewer than one in 23 South African men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives and it is important that the battle against this disease continues.
Widespread and regular screening, early detection and improved treatment are allowing more and more men to survive prostate cancer. If the cancer is diagnosed early, while it is localised or still confined to the prostate gland itself, the five-year survival rate is almost 100 percent. It is therefore of critical importance that we improve awareness of this disease.
It is important to note that patients with prostate cancer often experience no symptoms whatsoever. If the symptoms do occur they may include the following:
• Blood in urine;
• Trouble urinating;
• Sudden or urgent need to urinate;
• Waking frequently at night to urinate;
• Difficulty starting or stopping urine flow;
• Weak or interrupted urine flow;
• Pain during urination;
• Difficulty having an erection and/or painful ejaculations;
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back;
• Unexplained weight loss.
What everyone should know about prostate cancer
• According to National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) and National Cancer Registry and Research, prostate cancer is the most common cancer to occur in black South African men and the second most common cancer in white men. More than 4 300 men are newly diagnosed and 2 000 men die from the disease each year.
• More than 900 000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year worldwide.
• The prostate is a gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. It secretes liquid to energise the sperm to fertilise the egg. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in this gland begin to multiply uncontrollably.
• Prostate cancer is often a slow-growing cancer, but it is possible for these cells to spread, or metastasise, outside the gland and into the lymph system and bones.
• This cancer usually develops in men over the age of 50, and most commonly in men in their 60s, 70s and beyond. Men over the age of 45 should have regular check-ups, at least once a year.
• The screening process should ideally include a rectal examination and a PSA blood test, both of which can help to indicate whether cancer is present.
• There are three primary treatments: the surgical removal of the prostate (radical prostatectomy), brachytherapy and external beam radiation. In the case of older men, whose cancer is often slower to develop, doctors may recommend watchful waiting, ie doing nothing but having regular tests to ensure the cancer has remained slow growing.
Early detection of cancer greatly increases the chances of successful treatment.
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