Prostate cancer is a disease which affects men and occurs when abnormal cells grow in the prostate gland.
The prostate is a gland that forms part of the male reproductive system which secretes liquid to energise the sperm to fertilise the egg.
According to statistics from Netcare, more than 4 300 men in South Africa are diagnosed annually and 2 000 men die from the disease each year.
Untreated prostate cancer may spread to other organs in the body and become threatening.
Early detection is key to enabling effective treatment, as well as a better chance of recovering from cancer.
“It is vital to detect the symptoms and to have them investigated by a health professional as soon as possible,” says Dr Menesh Parbhoo, urologist at the N17 Hospital.
He says signs of prostate cancer are often first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up.
Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
Therefore it is important to know the symptoms:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Parbhoo says men should consult with their doctor when experiencing any of these symptoms.
Treatment options include:
- Radical prostatectomy, which is the complete removal of the prostate
- External beam radiation
- Brachytherapy which involves the insertion of tiny pieces of radioactive material, known as seeds, into the prostate
- Regular tests and check-ups
Multi-modal therapy – combinations of surgery or radiation and hormone therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Robotic-assisted surgery which is the more precise removal of cancerous tissue.
This also means a shorter hospital stay, reduced pain after surgery, less blood loss and need for blood transfusion, and less risk of infection and other complications.
Parhboo says prostate cancer is a complex disease which can be treated if it is detected early.
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