As breast cancer is common in women above 45, so is prostate cancer in men above 50.
Prostate cancer is a disease which affects only men and it targets the prostate — a gland in the male reproductive system.
Statistics by the National Cancer Registry estimate that 50 per cent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer before their golden jubilee.
Though research on this cancer is lacking in Nigeria, experts say the incidence is increasing. They note that the odds are that one could have a father, grandfather, husband, brother or friend living with this disease at any time.
But the cheering news is that it is preventable and treatable when detected early before irreversible damage has been done to the prostate.
Why should men be worried about this cancer? Apart from the fact that it affects their sexuality, it can also send the victim to an early grave when it is not well-managed.
This is where early detection becomes a challenge as many men are not likely to see their doctor unless it’s an emergency. But this may be dangerous, doctors advise.
Indeed, physicians say there is an appreciable increase in the number of men being diagnosed with this disease.
A consultant urologist, Dr. Andrew Mene, states that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer.
He notes that this form of cancer often grows very slowly and may not cause significant harm while some types are more aggressive and can spread quickly without treatment.
Mene says unlike in the past when only old men were diagnosed with the disease, doctors now see younger men with prostate cancer, hence, men of all ages must watch out.
He states that many men will die without even knowing they had the disease, as it usually has no symptoms. A few lucky ones may experience the warning signs, especially those at the advanced stages, physicians say.
Experts note that some factors may increase your risk of getting prostate cancer and advise that if many of these factors apply to you, then you must see a doctor to erase all doubts.
One of them is family history. A man is twice as likely to get the disease if he has one first-degree relative — father, brother, son — with a history of it, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Consultant Urologist, Dr. James Anenih, notes that the risk of developing prostate cancer goes up for those whose relatives have died of the disease.
Anenih states, “If three family members (father and two brothers, for example) have had it, if it occurs in three generations (grandfather, father, son) or if two relatives developed it when younger than 55, then your chances of getting it is 50 per cent. It is hereditary and in that case you must watch out for its symptoms.”
A man’s age is another predisposing factor. Doctors say the older the man, the higher his risk. Anenih explains that the prostate cancer risk in men between ages 40 and 49 is one in 50 while it is one in seven for those between ages 60 and 79. The cancer specialist, however, notes that this does not mean that one should wait till one is 60 before getting screened for it.
Remember, prostate cancer is the most treatable, curable and manageable cancer in men when diagnosed early.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese is a prostate cancer risk, according to many studies. Researchers found that men who put on extra weight in their 20s and 30s face a higher risk.
Experts believe that too much body fat throws off the body’s normal production of insulin and testosterone, which may fuel growth of prostate cancer cells.
Mene says, “Again, diet seems to play a role in the development of prostate cancer, which is much more common in countries where meat and high-fat dairy are mainstays. The reason for this link is unclear. Dietary fat, particularly animal fat from red meat, may boost male hormone levels. And this may fuel the growth of cancerous prostate cells. A diet too low in fruits and vegetables may also play a role.”
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