PROSTATE cancer (PCa) is one of the biggest threats to men’s health. It tends to develop in men over the age of fifty and is considered as one of the most common cancers among males around the globe. It is estimated that prostate cancer kills one man almost every 19 minutes while a new case is detected every two and a half minutes. According to the Philippine Cancer Society Inc. ’s (PCSI) population-based cancer registry, 10 men out of 100,000 will suffer from prostate cancer. In recent years, this statistic has translated to an estimated 4,254 prostate cancer patients in the Philippines.
Sadly, most of them are unaware of the symptoms of how they can be tested for it or of how the disease can be treated. This is unfortunate because – like most cancers – the earlier prostate cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chances of it being successfully treated. With this alarming number of prostate cancer patients, June has been declared as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It is a month dedicated for men to be made aware that “the silent-killer” doesn’t really have to kill. If they know about it, they can win against it.
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, an accessory sex gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing, but some can be very aggressive. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urination, problems during sexual intercourse, or, even, erectile dysfunction. But, more commonly, it may not produce any symptoms at all until the later stages. Many factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.
Diagnosing it is facilitated by 2 main tests: the DRE or Digital Rectal Exam – which can be performed in the clinic by the urologist and the PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen – a blood exam which is done in most labs. At times, it may become necessary to have a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate done. May mga screening tests gaya ng pagkapa ng doktor sa prostata sa Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) o ang pagsusuri sa dugo ng Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). Ito’y maaaring gawin bawat 1-2 taon mula sa edad 40.
Magpatingin sa doktor para sa anumang sintomas ng pag-ihi gaya ng balisawsaw na hindi nawawala, parang may natitirang ihi sa pantog, pag-ihi ng dugo, pagtitibi at pamamayat. The Prostate Cancer Awareness Month June 15, 2012, 10:28pm MANILA, Philippines — Recognizing that prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting the male population of the world, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated in many countries around the globe to heighten awareness of the disease which affects 250,000 and which causes one death every hour.
In the Philippines, June of every year is celebrated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate – a small, walnut-shaped gland found below the bladder – mutate into cancer cells. These cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes and the bones. While the exact cause of prostate cancer remains unknown, a number of risk factors have been identified, including age, family history, diet, infection, and inflammation of the prostate.
Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products, and eat fewer fruits and vegetables are most like to get the disease. Nine out of 10 adults are unaware that cancer of the prostate can develop slowly, unnoticed. Men with early stages of prostate cancer seldom experience symptoms; these manifest after several years when the cancer is large enough to put pressure on the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder).
Some of the symptoms are: Difficulty and pain in passing urine; passing urine more frequent than usual, especially at night; traces of blood in the urine; and erectile dysfunction. Early last year, the House of Representatives transmitted to the Senate House Bill 590 (Prostate Cancer Public Awareness Act) calling for the creation of a public education program on killer diseases, including prostate cancer and other leading types of cancer.
Males aged 40 and above are encouraged to undergo regular physical examinations for prostate cancer and other types of cancer. Let us also encourage male members of our families and households to have a regular and thorough physical examination especially when they reach the age 40, as early detection of prostate cancer will enable them to immediately seek appropriate medical treatment.
Relevant government and private institutions would do well to intensify research efforts to better understand the disease, and achieve breakthroughs in terms of prevention and cure.
CONGRATULATIONS! prostate cancer now ranks as the 6th most common cancer in the Philippines, the 4th most common cancer among males? Kanser sa baga (Lung cancer) Kanser sa atay (liver cancer) Kanser sa prostata (prostate cancer) Kanser sa bituka (colon cancer).