November is the month of the awareness and clarification campaign on prostate cancer (Blue November). The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located below the bladder. With about 20 grams and shape similar to a chestnut, it has as its main function the production of sperm.
Almost 30% of men who have some form of cancer suffer from prostate cancer. In the early stage of this cancer, however, there are no symptoms. When some signs start to appear, about 95% of the tumors are already at an advanced stage, which makes healing difficult. In the advanced stage, the symptoms are: bone pain, painful urination, urge to urinate frequently, presence of blood in the urine or semen.
Among the causes of prostate cancer, there are risk factors such as obesity and family history (black men suffer more from prostate problems). Regarding genetic inheritance, we can reduce risks with exams and preventive treatments and changes in habits. Our weight, for example, can be controlled through changes in eating habits. Avoiding obesity, in fact, is a way to prevent various health problems and ensure quality of life. To have a healthy lifestyle, it is essential to feed the body in a balanced way and avoid sedentary lifestyle.
Because prostate cancer does not show initial symptoms, and because there are factors such as genetic inheritance, it is essential that, from the age of 45, regardless of health condition, men prevent themselves and periodically make early diagnoses through urological examinations, such as digital rectal examination. This examination allows the doctor to assess changes in the gland, such as hardening and the presence of suspicious nodules.
About 20% of prostate cancer patients are diagnosed by digital rectal examination alone. For others, it may be necessary to perform more tests, such as biopsies, which remove fragments of the prostate for analysis. The appropriate form of treatment is evaluated by doctors, who take into account aspects such as health status and life expectancy of each person.
One of the main challenges in the fight against prostate cancer is to overcome prejudices and myths, which prevent preventive actions. Thus, campaigns like this are fundamental so that topics like this are treated in an educational way, with open and informative dialogues, in order to stimulate the performance of preventive exams. In line with the social commitments we assume with our team, this is yet another campaign that we support and promote at DUAL.