Doctor encourages men to get screened for prostate cancer
FOURWAYS – Urologist at Life Fourways Hospital Dr Trevino Ridgard said that embarrassment, fear and discomfort are some of the main reasons why men are reluctant to go for screening.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Urologist at Life Fourways Hospital Dr Trevino Ridgard said, “Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in South Africa. The lifetime risk for prostate cancer in men in South Africa is one in 19, according to the 2014 National Cancer Registry.”
He explained that black men are more likely to be affected by this form of cancer. Ridgard recommended that black South African men and those with risk factors go for screening from the age of 40 and other ethnic groups start screening for prostate cancer from age 45. “Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer at a younger age and a more aggressive type of cancer.”
As men get older, they are more likely to get prostate cancer and the incidence rises sharply after the age of 55. According to Ridgard, men who have a first degree relative (father or brother) with prostate cancer are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer themselves. Also, having a mother with breast cancer increases a man’s risk to develop prostate cancer. Ridgard explained that screening helps to detect prostate cancer in the early stages before it spreads to other organs.
“If detected in the early stages, prostate cancer can be cured. However, if the disease is detected at a much later stage and has spread to other organs, the cancer is not curable, and the aim of treatment will be to keep it under control and improve symptoms.”
Ridgard said that most men with prostate cancer do not have any symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. Symptoms such as bloody urine or semen, straining or difficulty in passing urine, weak urinary system, pelvic pain, bone pain, weight loss and tiredness are more likely in the advanced stages of the disease. Screening for prostate cancer involves taking a focused urological history and clinical examination.
It is recommended that a DRE (digital rectal examination) and blood PSA (prostate specific antigen) test be done. Patients with a history of lower urinary tract symptoms or a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, regardless of age, should have their PSA tested. “Embarrassment, fear and discomfort are some of the main reasons why men are reluctant to go for screening.”
Ridgard responded to this concern by saying that screening for prostate cancer is simple and easy to perform. Ridgard concluded, “Don’t be embarrassed. Consult with your GP or urologist.”
