Live, not only survive! In addition, with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer in numbers

• Prostate cancer in Europe affects about 3 million men in Europe. Since the diagnosis was made, half of them live 5 years or more. If the tumor is detected at an early stage, it can be discarded and life-threatening remission or recovery can last 20-30 years or more.
• In Latvia, in 2017, there were 1,086 new cases of prostate cancer, of which, unfortunately, about 20 to 25% are already in stages 3 and 4 (Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CCPC)). Thus, over a year, there are about 300 cases of late-onset prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer does not interfere long

Not all men are ready to test the state of prostate health until they have nothing to do with it. But prostate cancer can not disrupt life until the stages where the tumor has already spread. Therefore, the only way to quickly reveal it when it is possible to completely get rid of the tumor is to carry out regular checks. Prostate cancer can be detected at an early stage by determining the rate of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and consulting the urologist. The tests should start every year from age 50, when the PSA test is paid for by the state and that the general practitioner recommends it every two years. If a family has prostate cancer in a man, the test should start between 40 and 45 years of age.

If the tumor is revealed

If a man reveals a tumor, his attitude to his health changes a lot. "Patients with prostate cancer are very conscientious.After an early open treatment, many questions are asked directly to the urologist by men, because they want that the urination is not disturbed in order to restore their function The good news is that prostate cancer tests can be monitored (the same PSA test), which clearly indicates when it is necessary to continue the investigations because the tumor might have recovered, " Dr.med. Egil Vjaters Urologist, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia, Head of the Urology Center of the P.Stradin University Teaching Hospital.

It is important that every Latvian man lives the longest and best possible after the discovery of prostate cancer.

Treats and lives for a long time

Prostate cancer can re-offend. Then you should continue to treat. "If the tumor is spread or is detected at an advanced stage, the man operates or irradiates and begins a hormonal treatment that prolongs the life without symptoms.When this treatment is no longer effective, it is possible to start the treatment with drugs included in the country's list of reimbursable medicines since the beginning of the year.The new drug can also prolong the life of a man and reduce the appearance of symptoms in this situation, "says the doctor.

Men should monitor the rate of PSA, but also recognize the symptoms when they must contact a doctor immediately. These symptoms may indicate progression of prostate cancer:

• urination problems;
• erection problems;
• blood in the urine or sperm;
• Regular pain in the lower back or upper thighs;
• fatigue, etc. nonspecific symptoms.

As diagnosis and treatment options improve, the life expectancy of men increases and the number of patients with prostate cancer increases each year. Therefore, the public and the public must pay more attention to men's health problems, as well as greater public funding for the treatment of stage 3 and stage 4 prostate cancer. Trust your doctors they will find the treatment plan appropriate to your situation, depending on the stage of the disease and the latest global guidelines.

^{Educational Materials Actions created "Live, not only survive!", Supported by UAB "Johnson & "Johnson" in Latvia.}
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Knowing the importance of prostate exams and regular visits to the urological tract as well as to the family doctor, Men's Health Monthly Newsletters INVITE YOUR INSTRUMENTS to urge every man to go to the urologist and take consider his recommendations!