Early detection of prostate cancer changes lives

Prostate cancer is a disease that often develops silently, often without serious symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage and has spread to other organs. Therefore, prompt attention to the warning signs can make the difference between maintaining a good quality of life or facing a potentially debilitating condition .

The American Cancer Society (ACS) explains that this type of cancer originates when cells in the prostate gland begin to grow uncontrollably. While some tumors can spread quickly, in most cases, their progression is slow, allowing for early detection and the option of less invasive treatments with minimal side effects.

Although no single cause of prostate cancer has been identified, there are several risk factors. The main ones include age, race or ethnicity, geography, family history, and certain genetic changes. The likelihood of receiving a diagnosis increases significantly after age 50, with six out of 10 cases occurring in men over 65.

This type of cancer is more common in Black men and those from the Caribbean with African ancestry, while its incidence is lower among men of Asian, Hispanic, or Latino origin, compared to white men. The ACS notes that this disparity still has no conclusive explanation.

The risk also increases if a close relative, especially a brother, has been diagnosed with the disease. If there are several cases in the same family, particularly at younger ages, the likelihood is even higher. Furthermore, prostate cancer is more common in regions such as North America, Europe, and Australia, although the causes of this geographic distribution are also unclear.

Other possible risk factors include diet, obesity, smoking, chemical exposure, prostate inflammation, certain sexually transmitted infections, and vasectomy. However, there is still no definitive scientific consensus on these factors.

Warning signs include difficulty and pain when urinating, the presence of blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, and weak or intermittent urinary flow. If you experience any of these signs, it's recommended to see a healthcare professional to rule out the presence of a tumor, as they could also be due to other medical conditions.

While there are no specific preventive measures against this type of cancer, the ACS recommends maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also suggests limiting consumption of red meat, ultra-processed foods, and sugary beverages. Although studies are inconclusive, some findings have linked high consumption of calcium-rich dairy products with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Despite everything, it is a disease with a high survival rate: approximately 99 percent of cases detected early and located in the prostate are curable. Therefore, the American Cancer Society emphasizes the importance of regular medical checkups, especially for men over 50. In most cases, treatment does not require aggressive interventions such as surgery or radiation therapy, allowing men to lead a full and healthy life after diagnosis.

Alert if you have pain when urinating

Although most men with prostate cancer don't experience symptoms in the early stages, there are some warning signs that may indicate the presence of a malignant tumor in this gland. Therefore, it's essential to see a doctor when these signs begin to appear and cause concern.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that symptoms vary from patient to patient. However, the most common are: difficulty initiating urination, weak or interrupted flow, frequent urination—especially at night—difficulty emptying the bladder, pain or burning when urinating or ejaculating, blood in urine or semen, and persistent discomfort in the back, hips, or pelvis.

For its part, the American Cancer Society adds two additional symptoms that may frequently occur: erectile dysfunction and weakness or numbness in the legs or feet. Episodes of loss of bladder or bowel control may even occur.

Most of these symptoms aren't necessarily related to prostate cancer. For example, they may be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the gland that can also make urination difficult.

In Mexico there are 25 thousand cases and seven thousand deaths per year

Each year, approximately 25,000 new cases of prostate cancer are detected in Mexico, and 7,000 deaths are recorded, mostly due to late diagnosis. This disease is the leading cause of cancer death in men, causing 20 deaths per day, according to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). In Jalisco , nearly 800 deaths occur annually, ranking fourth in the nation. Seven out of 10 diagnoses are made in advanced stages, which is why health authorities insist on promoting early detection, especially in men over 50.

TREATMENTS

Surgery, radiotherapy and medications

The Mayo Clinic explains that medications used to treat prostate cancer include hormonal therapies, targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. There are also drugs that deliver radiation directly to malignant cells.

Another option is ablation therapy, which involves destroying or removing the tissue affected by cancer. This procedure can be performed using surgery, medications, hormones, radiofrequency, cold or heat, or other techniques determined by the treating physician.

Surgery is used to remove the prostate when the tumor shows signs of expansion or there is a risk of spreading to other parts of the body. This treatment carries risks such as bleeding, infection, pain, and blood clot formation. Long-term side effects can include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.