Prostate Cancer: Warning Symptoms That Should Make You Suspicious

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer death among men. According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), this pathology It affects more than 1.2 million men in the world.with more than 29,000 new cases diagnosed in Spain. It is expected that more than 30 thousand new cases will be diagnosed in our country this year.

Estimated “One in four men will suffer from prostate cancer at some point in their lives“, warns José Ángel Gómez Pascual, head of the urology department at the Quironsalud Hospital in Málaga. It is therefore vital “emphasize the importance of prevention and the need for annual inspections, starting from 50 years of age, control that must be carried out from 40-45 years old if you have a first-degree relative who has had prostate cancer, or if you are positive for the BRCA2 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of developing certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.”

Prostate cancer, tell CuídatePlus Carlos Nunez, director of the urological surgery service at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Madrid, “occurs when prostate cells (gland of the male reproductive system, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum) they grow and reproduce uncontrollably, damaging surrounding tissue and interfering with normal prostate function.” The cells “can subsequently spread to other parts of the body.”

It is more common in “older” men and is “the most common form of male cancer.”. The best chance of surviving prostate cancer comes from early detection.. With early detection, the chance of cure is almost 100%.. How can this be detected? Although experts warn that prostate cancer has no symptoms in the early stages, it is important to know some symptoms that may make us suspect that something is wrong and we should consult to rule out this type of tumor.

As noted Nunez, Men with prostate cancer may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain or burning when urinating
• Inability to urinate or difficulty starting to urinate.
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Difficulty emptying the bladder completely.
• Blood in urine or semen
• Constant pain in the lower back, pelvis or hips.

As the specialist notes, “It is important to keep in mind that none of these symptoms are specific to cancer and that most men with prostate cancer do not experience any of them, but these are signs that may indicate a problem that exists to consult.” Therefore, Nunez recalls that “Its presence should prompt men to seek medical help. with a rectal examination of the prostate and determination of serum PSA by a urologist or other physician.”

What tests detect prostate cancer?

Cancer screening consists of medical tests that are done when a person has no symptoms. Nunes points this out: “should begin at age 50 for most men and at age 45 for black men or men with a family history. (father, brother or son) of prostate cancer.”

The rectal tract is the simplest and oldest method of screening for prostate cancer. In this test, the expert says, “the urologist carefully inserts a gloved index finger into the rectum to feel the prostate, looking for enlargement or other obvious abnormalities, such as a mass.” Obviously, the rectal tract is not a definitive test for cancer.but “regular scans help the urologist detect changes in the prostate over time that may indicate precancerous conditions.”

On the other hand, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) “is a glycoprotein produced by epithelial cells of the prostate. A blood test measures the amount of PSA circulating in the blood, expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). The resulting PSA concentration is used to assess the risk of developing cancer.”

Who is most at risk for prostate cancer?

There are many factors that can influence the development of prostate cancer, among which Nunez identifies:

• age: Men aged 50 years and older are at higher risk. Age is the most influential risk factor.
• Background Family members: The risk is higher if there is a family history (especially of a father, brother or son) of prostate cancer.
• Race: Black men have nearly twice the rate of prostate cancer than white men. The disease is less common in Asians and Native Americans.
• Feeding: A diet high in fat, especially animal fat, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is thought to reduce the risk.