It’s that time of year when facial hair is back in town. Whether you’re rocking a real or a fake moustache this Movember, remember there’s a serious message behind it.
Did you know that an estimated one in 16 South African men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime? Scary, but, if caught early, it’s one of the most treatable cancers, with an almost 100% five-year survival rate.
So learn about it. Know your risk. Start the conversation. And let the moustache save lives.
Prostate know-how
The prostate gland sits just beneath the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. It relies on testosterone to function, and produces fluid to protect and nourish sperm.
Sometimes, prostate cells mutate and get the wrong “instructions”, causing them to grow uncontrollably. They don’t die off like normal cells, instead clumping together and growing into a tumour.
Some tumours can be highly aggressive and invade other tissues and bones. Others are so slow-growing and localised they never cause problems.
Who’s at risk?
If you’re a man with a prostate, you’re at risk – but certain factors increase the chances.
- Age of 50 and over, although younger men can also develop it.
- Family history of prostate and/or breast cancer.
- Taking high-dose anabolic steroids.
- Poor diet, inactivity, smoking and binge drinking all play a role.
- Black men face higher risk and likelihood of more aggressive cancers.
The importance of screening
Early prostate cancer is usually symptom free. That’s why regular check-ups are so important – simple medical screenings can pick it up long before it spreads.
What’s involved? Blood tests, a chat, and a less-than-one-minute rectal exam, so just man up and get it done. Your results are usually ready in one to two days.
Screening is recommended:
- Most men: every two to three years from age 50
- Men at higher risk: annually from age 40
Warning signs
As prostate cancer develops, symptoms can appear:
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination, or weak stream
- Frequent urgent need to urinate, particularly at night
- Blood in semen or urine
- Chronic back and pelvic pain
- Erectile dysfunction
These signs can be caused by other conditions, like benign prostate enlargement or bladder infection. Always consult your doctor.
Taking action
Treatment may involve surgery to remove the gland, radiation, chemotherapy or hormone therapy to suppress testosterone. But not all prostate cancers need urgent treatment. Slow-growing cancers call for “active surveillance” – keeping an eye on it with regular tests and check-ups. If the cancer changes, then treatment may be started.
Reference
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa
