At what age is it recommended to visit a urologist?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Spain and, according to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), 29,002 new cases were diagnosed in 2023, making it the most common tumor in men, followed by colon and lung cancer . For this reason, urologists remember that early diagnosis saves lives.
“A visit to a urologist is usually recommended for any risk factor. from 45 years old“explained the urologist at the HLA Clínica Montpellier and HLA Centro Médico Zaragoza, Alberto Fantova.
Prevention, which from 50 years old is already strongly recommended: “After this it is recommended annual urological examination in the presence of a prostate tumor marker in the blood, a urine test and, if necessary, a rectal examination, even in the absence of risk factors and the absence of symptoms,” clarified Fantova, who also noted both a higher incidence with age and greater virulence in young patients. : “Risk The development of prostate cancer increases with age, but it is characterized more aggressive in its development in younger patients“.
Age This is a major risk factor, with most cases diagnosed in men over 65 years of age, but not the only one. Other factors include a family history of prostate cancer, diet, ethnicity and some genetic factors.
“Most prostate tumors are hormonally sensitive because they are clearly related to testosterone levels. diets low in fiber and rich in carbohydrates and animal fats they can influence their development; In contrast, diets rich in lycopene, vitamins E and D and antioxidants, selenium, zinc and isoflavones (fruits, vegetables and various grains) are preferred. On the other hand, the genetic factor doubles the risk if there is a history of a first-degree relative who previously suffered from the disease. In these cases, genetic research is carried out for prevention purposes,” the doctor explained.
We must be attentive to the signals that the body itself sends, since prostate cancer in the initial stages is usually asymptomatic. Sometimes it is detected during routine medical examinations. However, as the disease progresses, various symptoms may appear. ” difficulty urinating both day and night, with greater urgency or frequency, and Decreased flow force or speed; the presence of redness of urine (hematuria) or semen (hemospermia); Perineal or pelvic girdle pain or weight loss not related to diet are warning signs that are also present in noncancerous conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or urinary tract infections. Therefore, it is extremely important that any man experiencing these symptoms see a doctor for a correct diagnosis,” the specialist said.
If any suspicious signs have appeared in recent years, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate can be requested as a very useful test to differentiate the need for a prostate biopsy.
Advances in diagnosis and treatment
With this MRI, images are obtained with great accuracy, which allows us to differentiate the presence of nodes suspicious for malignancy. Although an accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer can only be made with prostate biopsy, resonance This allowed us to clarify the previous diagnosis and avoid performing an unnecessary prostate biopsy.
“In patients under 70 years of age, if the marker is less than three and there are no significant symptoms, an annual visit is usually recommended; however, if the PSA marker is greater than three, the recommendation will be once every two years. This frequency will also depend on the patient’s symptoms,” the doctor added.
In recent years, there have been several significant advances in prostate cancer treatment that have improved the effectiveness of treatment. therapeutic options and patient outcomes. “With advances in surgery, side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction have decreased significantly.