Monday is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Day

Monday is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. It is one of the most common cancers in men. In Poland, about 18,000 patients receive such a diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in mature men. The risk of the disease increases after the age of 40, but it is most often diagnosed in men after the age of 70. In Poland, cancer is detected in about 18 thousand patients every year, and these statistics are growing.

Every third man who dies from an oncological disease had prostate cancer (approx. 5.5 thousand people per year). However, early detection of cancer creates a chance for its complete cure. However, the development of prostate cancer - especially at an early stage - is most often not accompanied by any clinical symptoms, which is why it can progress for years.

Doctors remind that patients should see a urologist for a prostate examination at least once a year from the age of 50, or earlier if symptoms of urination disorders appear or if a close family member (father, brother) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer at a young age.

The basic tests ordered by this specialist include a PSA level test (a protein produced by prostate cancer cells, but also by normal prostate tissue), a digital rectal examination, and a microscopic examination of a piece of tissue taken from the prostate (histopathological examination), which is the basis for diagnosis.

The development of prostate cancer is favored by obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, sexual abstinence, venereal diseases, and inflammation of the urinary tract.

However, there are also factors that reduce the risk of the disease. American studies have shown that patients who walk for about 4 hours a week at a pace of 5 km/h or faster have a 40 percent lower risk of death and relapse compared to patients who do not exercise in this way. A fairly brisk walk is therefore probably the cheapest form of help for men struggling with prostate cancer.

Symptoms of prostate enlargement are more often diagnosed in men who consume a lot of meat, fat and few vegetables. It has been established that excessive milk consumption is also a risk factor. The occurrence of symptoms is influenced by stimulants that cause swelling of the prostate gland, including alcohol (especially high-proof), or excessive amounts of hot spices.

The National Prostate Cancer Awareness Day was established in 2011 on Father's Day by the Foundation "Wygrajmy Zdrowie" named after Prof. Grzegorz Madej. On September 15, we celebrate the European Prostate Day established by the European Society of Urology. (PAP)

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