Prostate cancer affects one in six South African men, while most common in men over the age of 50, it is not unheard of for men to be diagnosed in their 20s.
It is so prevalent that, theoretically, two men in every rugby team or one man in every soccer team will have it.
If detected early, prostate cancer has a 98 per cent survival rate. This falls to 26 per cent if detected in later stages when symptoms finally start to surface. Few men experience early-stage prostate cancer symptoms and even fewer talk to their doctors or go for regular screenings.
In light of this, Here4You, a portal of information and real-life experiences around prostate cancer, is launching a campaign to create awareness around the importance of getting tested, having regular screenings, the treatment options that are available and ‘life after’ diagnosis. Their objective is to remove the stigma around the testing process.
Early detection is key and starts with a simple blood test from the age of 40, especially if you are of African descent or have a family history of prostate cancer.
A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can determine your level of PSA – a protein produced by normal and cancerous prostate cells. PSA levels tend to rise when there’s a problem with your prostate health, including the development and growth of prostate cancer.
PSA testing can detect early-stage prostate cancer and spare men with low-risk prostate cancer from intrusive tests and procedures. Scientists believe that this simple blood test can prevent up to 70 per cent of potentially painful and unnecessary biopsies.
Some of the symptoms to keep an eye out for:
- A frequent need to urinate
- Painful or burning urination
- A weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.
Getting tested once a year can make all the difference in the world.
Watch the video to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ49_OvIxD4
Details: Visit Here4You for essential information of every stage of prostate cancer at www.here4you.co.za
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