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Durban 30th
July 2009 -
Early
detection key to prostate health
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One out of every 24 South African men will develop
prostate cancer. Of those, 2,500 will die as a result
and yet this disease can be cured completely if it is
detected early.
The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. Men
under 50 rarely get prostate cancer although African men
and those with a family history of prostate cancer are
considered a more high risk group. Current guidelines
recommend that all men over 50 have annual prostate
screenings while men in the higher risk category should
start at the age of 40.
Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms or the type of
symptoms which many men would put down to normal ageing
such as difficulty urinating or urinating more
frequently, particularly at night.
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EHHC offers free PSA testing on 30 July. |
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Dr Pregs Chetty, a urologist at Ethekwini Hospital and
Heart Centre, believes that regular screening will save the
lives of husbands, fathers and grandfathers. "Prostate cancer in
its early stages responds exceptionally well to treatment. If
the cancer is confined to the prostate and has not spread to
surrounding tissue, there are many minimally invasive and highly
effective treatment options." he said.
Prostate screening involves a blood test where PSA (Prostate
Specific Antigen) levels are measured. A digital rectal exam
would also be performed at the same time. "Signs of enlargement
of the prostate or PSA levels above normal would indicate that
there is a prostate problem which may or may not be due to
cancer."
If symptoms are present, a biopsy is performed to diagnose the
problem. "If it is cancer and it is confined to the prostate, we
can perform surgery to remove the prostate or we can implant
radioactive seeds into the prostate to kill the cancerous cells
(brachytherapy). Alternatively, we can use conventional
radiotherapy, ultrasound treatment and even cryosurgery which is
a relatively new treatment option for patients." For Dr Chetty,
the important thing is for men to schedule their annual check
ups for their own peace of mind. "Women go for annual cervical
exams and mammograms which have saved many lives through early
detection of disease. Men should also take responsibility for
their own health and ensure that they don't die of a treatable
condition." he said.
Ethekwini Hospital & Heart Centre offered free PSA testing to
men today to raise awareness of men's health issues. Hospital
Marketing Manager, Mariann Theron hopes that men will take
advantage of the free testing and information offered. "The PSA
test should ideally be performed in conjunction with a digital
rectal exam which can be performed by a GP or urologist." she
said. "We hope that the men who have visited us today will make
a full prostate examination part of their annual health check
up."
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