Gentlemen, think about your prostate

It’s a small gland and one great unknown for many men. There prostatelocated under the bladder, secretes part of the seminal fluid (constituting sperm). And this is also where the most cases of male cancers. 63,000 cases in Germany in one year, 60,000 in France, 10,000 in Belgium, nearly 600 in Luxembourg… But this 1st place still does not seem not taken seriously by these gentlemen. A bit as if the location of this cellular disruption – between sex and rectum – made this disease “unspeakable”.

However, as the Luxembourg Ministry of Health reminds us, this is indeed a cancer which treats itself effectively if detected early. Thus, the survival rate (the term is barbaric) beyond 5 years after detection and treatment exceeds 90%. However, we must not take certain things lightly warning symptoms.

Among the possible signs, oncologists highlight the difficulty urinating and/or the appearance of bleeding. At a more advanced stage, stomach or bone pain can also appear but not necessarily around the infected area. Knowing that beyond the age of 50, “ one in two men develop benign changes in their prostate gland “, many fifty-year-olds blame their problems on advancing age. A risky attitude.

Family history

As the early symptoms of prostate cancer are not specific, it is better go see a doctor from the first doubts. The general practitioner will then have the reflex to direct the patient towards two examinations allowing to confirm/refute the diagnosis: a dosage sanguin PSA (prostate specific antigen) and a rectal examination.

If these two analyzes were to put the doctor on the trail of cancer, imagery et biopsy will confirm the results and initiate first aid.

Ensuite, radiotherapy external or intervention surgery may be enough to put an end to this cancer developing around the genitals, depending on its advanced form or not.

In this disease, age remains an important risk factor, and men over 60 are more than encouraged to carry out preventive examinations. But from the age of 45-50, these gentlemen are advised to discuss it with their attending physician.

You should also know that the family history play a big role in the possible triggering of this form of cancer. We should therefore not hesitate to know if in the circle of grandfather, father, uncle, brothers, son one or the other could have already been reached. The “familial” form represents nearly 1 in 5 cases, and 1 in 3 for the “hereditary” form.