Why is a Prostate Examination Important?

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant tumour among men, becoming more prevelant with age. Annual screening is recommended from the age of 40. Where symptoms are present, early detection greatly enhances effective treatment—whether there is benign enlargement or malignant disease.

Early-stage prostate cancer may show no symptoms, leaving individuals unaware and unlikely to consult a urologist. However, when detected in time, it is entirely curable and remains treatable even in later stages.

When Should You Get Screened?

Prostate cancer is most prevalent in men aged 60 to 80 - it is rare before 40. Screening is advised from the age of 40, especially if there is a family history of the disease. If symptoms arise, prompt urological evaluation and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing are essential, since PSA acts as a tumor marker for prostate cancer.

What Symptoms Indicate Prostate Issues?

Prostate cancer often remains symptomless. Symptomatic cases are harder to treat, so it is wise to seek medical attention for:

• Bloody urine, a sudden urge to urinate, involuntary leakage, frequent urination

• Difficulty urinating, dribbling, weakened stream

Advanced symptoms include:

• General issues like night sweats, fatigue, weakness, anaemia

• Unexplained weight loss

• Bone pain, pelvic, sacral, or lower back pain
   

What Does Prostate Examination Involve?

Screening relies on a combination of a manual prostate exam and PSA blood testing. While the blood test is painless, it does not replace the physical examination. If abnormalities appear in either test, further evaluations like targeted MRI and possibly a biopsy are needed.

What Are the Prospects for Recovery?

Thanks to modern early detection, small prostate tumours can be monitored through imaging and regular PSA checks without immediate treatment - a practice known as active surveillance. Treatment begins only if the tumour grows. Tumours caught early can be completely cured through surgical removal or targeted radiotherapy.

Treatments for Advanced Stages

Although advanced cases are not curable, they are highly manageable. With proper medical care, patients can live for extended periods with a good quality of life.

Methods of Treating Prostate Cancer

Treatment varies based on the patient’s overall health, age, and tumour extent.

Two main approaches include:

1. Curative treatment: Surgery or radiotherapy aimed at eradicating the tumour. This highlights the advantage of regular screening.

2. Palliative treatment: For advanced stages where complete tumour removal is not possible, options include:

   • Chemotherapy

   • Hormone therapy

   • Targeted treatments
      

Palliative oncology has advanced significantly, aiding more patients than ever before.

Risk Factors and Prevention

Risk factors are not well-defined, but genetics play a role, especially if the disease is prevalent in the family. Certain ethnic groups show higher rates. Lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to cancer development. As life expectancy increases, so does the occurrence of prostate cancer, given that age is a key risk factor.

Prostate Cancer Prevention Tips

Discussing prostate cancer openly, including the benefits of early screening, is vital. The later it is detected, the lower the chances of successful treatment. Regular urological checkups, especially for men over 50, including PSA testing, are crucial. Individuals with a family history should be particularly vigilant.

A healthy lifestyle supports prostate health:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity correlates with a higher risk of prostate cancer. Balanced nutrition and regular exercise are essential. Routine physical activity can reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

• Avoid smoking: Smoking damages not just the lungs but also the bladder, kidneys, and prostate. Giving up can decrease the risk of prostate cancer and other diseases.

• Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking can raise the risk of cancer.
   

Prostate cancer awareness and proactive health measures can save lives and promote well-being.

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Copy-editor:
Marion Merrick 
Language editor and author: Now You See It, Now You Don’t  / Surprising Expats / Budapest Retro