Shame and undetected symptoms are among the key reasons why middle-aged European males neglect to seek medical help when experiencing prostate ailments.
Medical experts say a lot more needs to be done to boost awareness on prostate diseases among Europeans.
?As men get older, the risk of prostate disease increases. Family history, African ancestry and a diet high in animal fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fish may also increase the risk of prostate disease. All men, especially those above the age of 50, should be aware of this and visit their urologist if they are worried,? according to the European Association of Urology (EAU).
The prostate is a small gland the size of walnut that lies below the bladder is responsible for producing the clear fluid that carries sperm and grows slowly as men get older. Doctors say men above 50 years old are the most vulnerable to prostate ailments such as enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), acute and chronic prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Prostate ailments, particularly early malignant cancers, often remain undetected and recent studies show that timely diagnosis and medical therapy can prove to be beneficial in most cases. In a campaign to alert people of the need for timely intervention, national urological societies across Europe are holding an annual Prostate Awareness Day on September 14. The EAU is among the key organisations that are supporting pan-European efforts to clarify and bring to the public current issues and developments on prostate diseases.
This year, the EAU has defined a few key issues:
? Prostate cancer can only be cured when it is detected in its early stages, i.e. when the disease is organ-confined. The PSA test (a simple blood test) and PSA kinetics – PSA velocity or PSA doubling time – are helpful tools to recognise patients at risk for having prostate cancer.
? Cancers diagnosed at an early state of development do not always need treatment. Active monitoring is a reasonable option that still allows to initiate treatment during follow-up when needed.
? Hormonal therapy severely impacts quality of life but when needed, the side effects can be reduced by instructions about nutrition, physical activity and psychological support.
? Most men will develop benign prostate disease and many of them will develop complaints for which medical and surgical treatments are available and both are generally highly effective.
The EAU is distributing promotional materials such as posters and brochures in support of initiatives from other medical institutions. To access the promotional materials, please visit European Prostate Awareness Day: European Association of Urology.