In this month of November, synonymous with men’s health month, The Ministry of Health and Social Security recalls the steps to follow regarding the detection of prostate cancer.
If you think you have symptoms or if you simply have doubts, it is essential to go to the doctor. He will be able to direct his patient towards appropriate additional examinations, namely blood PSA (prostate specific antigen) testing and rectal examination.
“These two tests combined offer the best chance of early detection of prostate cancer. In the event of a high PSA level or abnormalities detected in the prostate gland, other examinations such as imaging and biopsy must be carried out in order to be able to confirm the diagnosis initiated,” indicates the Ministry of Health.
As a reminder, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, with more than 520 new cases per year in Luxembourg. It is also the second deadliest cancer, causing 55 deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Registry.
After the age of 50, one in two men develop benign changes in the prostate gland, but the risk of cancer cannot be ruled out. Prostate cancer presents symptoms similar to certain benign diseases, hence the need to consult your doctor as soon as the first signs appear in order to obtain a confirmed diagnosis.
Also, certain risk factors are favorable to the appearance of this cancer such as obesity, hereditary factors or family history in general.
For more information, consult the Sante.lu portal or contact the Coordination Center for organized cancer screening programs at (+352) 247-75550 or by e-mail at [email protected].
