World Prostate Cancer Day, The Most Common Type of Cancer for Men in Mexico
Prostate Cancer, an Early Detection Can Save Your Life
Together, we observe this 2022 World Prostate Cancer Day. Internationally, November is celebrated as men’s health month. This is an event that has the objective of raising awareness, preventing, and timely detecting prostate cancer. This is a disease from which millions of adult men suffer, and it develops almost without any symptoms.
In Mexico, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in men. It is also the primary cause of death in men over 60 years of age. Additionally, according to data from the World Health Organization, there were more than 1,600,000 men suffering from this type of cancer in 2021. Unfortunately, this number is expected to increase to two million over the next year.
On World Prostate Cancer Day, our urology specialists at Hospitals CMQ emphasize that early detection is synonymous with life. Therefore, we want to raise awareness among the male population over 40 years of age about taking care of their health, as well as the importance of early check-ups. This check-up includes a physical examination, which examines the prostate (digital rectal examination) and prostate-specific antigen studies.
During the entire month of November, receive a 50% discount on prostate cancer detection laboratory studies.
Prostate Cancer And Its Risk Factors
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that originates when the prostate cells begin to grow in an uncontrolled manner. This condition is progressive, so often, symptoms are not shown immediately. Furthermore, our specialists state that the prostate begins to grow from the age of 50. Because of this growth, there are changes in the urination process, like the force needed to urinate and urination frequency. Nonetheless, what worries our urologists the most is the presence of blood in the urine.
This type of cancer is not related to an unhealthy lifestyle, which makes it difficult to explain why it appears. However, there are risk factors that specialists take into account:
- Age: is the main risk factor. This disease is rare in men under 50 years of age, and the probability of developing prostate cancer increases considerably with age.
- Family Background: the risk is higher if a parent or sibling has had this disease. About 10% may occur as a result of a genetic or hereditary predisposition.
However, the development of this disease varies from person to person. Therefore, at the first signs of symptoms, it is recommended to consult a physician.
Recommendations From Our Urologists At Hospital CMQ To Prevent Prostate Cancer
As a silent disease in its early stage, our urology specialists recommend that men over 45 years of age undergo an annual Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and physical examination. Likewise, if there is a family history of this type of cancer, the exam should be performed after the age of 40. In addition, it is recommended to:
- Reduce the consumption of red meat or dairy products
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Increase the consumption of produce and greens, like fruits and vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions About World Prostate Cancer Day
The prostate is a gland that only men have. It is located between the bladder and the rectum. This gland produces part of the fluid that makes up semen, and it is the size of a walnut and grows with age.
It is the most common type of cancer in men. It originates when prostate cells begin to grow uncontrollably, and it can invade other parts of the body. If you have close relatives with this disease (like a father or brother), you have twice as much risk of developing it.
- In the early stages, there may be no symptoms.
- Difficulty initiating urination.
- Straining to urinate.
- Less and lighter urinary stream.
- More frequent urination, especially at night.
- A sensation of incomplete voiding.
- Blood in the urine.
- Weakness in the legs, and feet, loss of bladder or bowel control, as well as hip, spine, rib, or bone pain; this may indicate more advanced disease.
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test.
- Abdominal or transrectal prostate ultrasound.
- Digital prostate examination at the discretion of the urology specialist.
- Prostate biopsy.
- Other special studies requested by the urology specialist.
All men, after the age of 50, or after the age of 45 if they have family members with the disease. A timely diagnosis allows for simpler treatments and reduces the risk of dying from prostate cancer.
