PROSTATE CANCER PREVENTION

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in terms of incidence.

It is really important that its diagnosis is made at an early stage when the disease is manageable.

There is no certain way to prevent prostatic cancer.

The reason is that research studies are not appropriately designed in order to enable safe conclusions, and their outcomes are often conflicting.

General measures for the prevention and early diagnosis of prostate cancer focus on:

  • Healthy eating
  • Annual check-up

Healthy eating

There are signs that:

  • Normal body weight maintenance and
  • nutrition low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables

can lower the risk of getting prostatic cancer

Annual check-up

The aim of the check-up is the reduction of mortality due to prostate cancer.

One should be regularly tested after the age of 50 and undergo the 2 examinations mentioned below:

  • Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. PSA measurement, combined with the rectal exam findings, determines the likelihood of prostate cancer existence. PSA values are affected by other factors as well, such as prostate volume and presence of inflammation.
  • Digital (finger) rectal exam. Given the location of the prostate gland, it can be examined by the urologist to detect a possible induration (lump) (positive rectal examination).

Should the above exams show an increased likelihood of prostate cancer presence, then the patient is indicated for transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy (TRUS).