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“Prostate cancer remains one of the least talked about cancers among the general public, at least in India. So there is still a lot of confusion around this disease, ”said Dr Anish Kumar Gupta, andrologist, urologist, urologist surgeon and sexologist who consults on Practo.
He added that most of the men asked about the disease will either have “notions of their own, not supported by medical information, or change the subject or just joke about it.”
“Most men who have heard of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) will say that PSA is the gold standard for prostate cancer diagnosis for them and their doctors,” he said in addressing some misconceptions about the disease.
1. Prostate cancer is an old man’s disease. Wrong!
65 percent of cases are diagnosed in men 65 years of age or older, while 35 percent of men are diagnosed at an early age.
Incidence by age:
<40 years: 1 in 10,000 men
40 – 50 years old: 1 in 40 to 60 men.
60 – 69 years old: 1 in 15 men.
There are many risk factors to consider: race, family history, physical health, lifestyle, and even geographic location.
2. No symptoms do not mean prostate cancer. Wrong!
“Prostate cancer is one of the most asymptomatic cancers in oncology, which means that not all men have symptoms. Often the symptoms can be confused or attributed to something else, ”said Dr. Gupta.
Signs of prostate cancer are often first detected by a doctor during a routine exam. Common symptoms include a need to urinate frequently, difficulty starting or stopping urination, poor or interrupted urine flow, painful or burning urination, difficulty getting an erection, painful ejaculation, blood in the stomach. urine or semen, or frequent pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs. If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to let your doctor know.
3. Prostate cancer is slow growing cancer; I don’t need to worry. Ssometimes yes. Sometimes no.
“Aggression can only be commented after a biopsy, taking into account the age and state of health of the patient. Patients must understand the complexity of this disease and make the treatment decisions that are right for them in consultation with a trusted urologist, ”he said.
4. Prostate cancer does not exist in my family, so it is unlikely that I will get it. Wrong!
It’s not entirely true, but a family history doubles a man’s chance of being diagnosed to 1 in 3. This compares to 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Family history and genetics play a role in a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer. A man whose father or brother has had prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease. The risk is further increased if cancer was diagnosed in a family member at a younger age (under 55), or if it affected three or more family members.
5. The PSA test is a cancer test. Wrong!
The PSA test measures levels of prostate specific antigen in the prostate, not cancer. PSA is produced by the prostate in response to a number of problems that might be present in the prostate, including inflammation or infection (prostatitis), an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or possibly an enlarged prostate. Cancer.
Think of it as a first smoke alarm, instead of a fire alarm. The PSA test can be the first step in the process of diagnosing cancer. He made it possible to detect cancer in its early stages, when it is best treated. Experts believe that the PSA test saves the lives of around 1 in 39 men tested.
The other side of the coin is also the fear of over-detection of cancer, which may not affect the patient during their lifetime. This is supported by various cancer watch organizations around the world.
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