- 80% of prostate cancer cases can be cured if detected early.
- The main problem is that 70% of patients are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease.
- Every September 15, World Prostate Health Day is commemorated.
The fear of chemotherapy and the diagnostic method can become an obstacle to achieving a timely diagnosis of prostate cancer. In fact, it is one of the deadliest tumors among men. in Mexico, with 26,742 new cases and almost 7,500 deaths each year.
The importance of regular medical check-ups
In the framework of World Prostate Health Daywhich is commemorated on September 15, the Dr. Jose Athiea Sanofi expert in oncology, explains that currently, treatments to treat prostate cancer they are diverse and with a high safety profile, to serve different types of patients. By achieving timely detection, with routine check-ups and without waiting for symptoms to appear, the chances of cure are significantly high.
“There is a world of difference in the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. If we achieve an early diagnosis of the disease, 80 percent of cases are curable. In contrast, in advanced stages, the chances of achieving successful treatment are significantly reduced.”
This type of cancer that originates in the prostate gland of the male reproductive system is slow growing and does not present symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Therefore, it is essential that men with a family history of this neoplasm be the first to form the habit of having a blood test performed annually to determine the presence of a substance called Prostate Specific Antigen (APE).
“PSA testing is recommended for all men age 50 and older. However, for men with a family history of prostate cancer, screening should be done starting at age 40.”
Analyzing the concentration of Prostatic Antigen, together with a digital rectal exam, are very useful procedures in the process of diagnosis and assessment of the stage of cancer in which the patient is.
Most cases are detected too late
The specialist stated that 70% of men are diagnosed in advanced stages when symptoms such as slow urinary flow, pain or burning during urination, difficulty achieving an erection or pain in the hip, back or chest occur. This latter sign indicates that the cancer may have spread to the bones.
He also emphasized that, in advanced stages of cancer, Patient survival is directly related to the extent of the tumor, the age and general health of the patient, as well as the PSA concentration.
Dr. Athié added that Another obstacle to timely diagnosis is the stigma that digital rectal examination is the only way to diagnose the disease. Men postpone going to health services for check-ups. Added to this circumstance is the concept of “chemophobia”, that is to say, the rejection of people to be treated with chemotherapy and the fear of the secondary effects of this type of treatment.
“In the treatment of prostate cancer in advanced stages, the objectives to be covered are to achieve better tolerance to chemotherapy, reduce side effects, achieve clinical improvement and, of course, its efficacy in extending progression-free survival and survival. patient care with a high safety profile. In this sense, we have advanced important steps for the benefit of patients”.
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