THE ESSENTIAL
- On the occasion of Movember, Dr Léa Turpin recalls that prostate cancer, although it is often asymptomatic at first, requires special attention for early detection.
- Nuclear medicine is necessary to better target cancer cells and personalize treatments, especially in the advanced stages of prostate cancer.
- A healthy lifestyle can improve patients’ quality of life and the effectiveness of treatments.
Prostate cancer causes around 10,000 deaths per year in France. “It’s a public health problem », explains Dr Turpin. Although it mainly affects older men, aggressive forms can appear earlier. Good news: the majority of prostate cancers progress slowly and have a good prognosis. Unfortunately, they are often invisible in their early stages.
No pain, no obvious symptoms… Result? Many men only discover the disease at an advanced stage. “We try to detect cancer before the first signs, as with mammography or smear tests in women», specifies the specialist. On the other hand, when symptoms appear, such as difficulty urinating or bone pain, it is often a sign that the cancer has already spread.
The risks: genetics… and the environment!
Why do some men develop prostate cancer? The answers are not so clear. “There is a genetic component, with genes like BRCA, but also environmental factors, like exposure to certain pesticides», explains Dr Turpin. However, unlike other cancers, the links with sport or diet are less obvious.
That said, a healthy lifestyle is always appreciated: “Eating well and staying active improves chances of responding well to treatments», she recalls. There is no miracle solution to prevent cancer, but every action counts.
Classic treatments… and revolutionary technologies
When it comes to treating prostate cancer, we usually start with hormone therapy, which reduces levels of testosterone, the hormone that fuels cancer cells. Effective, but not without consequences: “This is often experienced badly by patients. It affects their quality of life and their sex life », admet Dr Turpin.
This is where nuclear medicine comes into play, with revolutionary tools like PET-scan (or PET-scan). This high-precision imaging technique is based on the injection of a radioactive tracer, which attaches specifically to cancer cells. “For prostate cancer, a tracer targeting PSMA, a protein overexpressed by tumor cells, is often used.», Explains the doctor.
After the injection, a specialized camera detects the radiation emitted by the tracer, allowing very detailed images to be created. “The PET scan gives us a complete map of the disease, identifying cancerous areas and possible metastases in the body», she adds. This helps define personalized treatment and avoid unnecessary interventions.
Internal vectorized radiotherapy: surgical targeting of cells
In addition to its diagnostic role, PET scan makes it possible to use cutting-edge treatments such as vectorized internal radiotherapy. This technique consists of combining the tracer used in imaging with a more powerful radioactive isotope, capable of destroying cancer cells. “It is an ultra-targeted radiotherapy, at the cellular level, which limits damage to healthy tissues.», specifies Dr Turpin.
This approach is particularly useful for advanced or metastatic forms of cancer, where ‘conventional’ treatment options are limited.
Access still limited, but progress underway
Although these technological advances are promising, they are not yet accessible everywhere. Nuclear medicine requires specific infrastructure: laboratories, equipment and trained personnel. “This is a real paradigm shift.»
Nuclear medicine is not limited to treating: it also helps monitor recurrences. In the event of a relapse, examinations such as PSMA PET allow rapid intervention. Result: even in the face of advanced cancers, patients can hope to live longer and better.
