Above 40? You May Have Prostate Cancer And Not Know It

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Nigeria, with
mortality rate of over 80 per cent. Nevertheless, experts say, this
mortality rate can be avoided if prostate cancer is detected and
treated early.

Statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that in Nigeria
within a period of four years, there was an increase in death rate
among men caused by prostate cancer. The statistics show that prostate
cancer kills 26 men daily, up from 14 men. However, a medical
laboratory scientist, Alabi Adebowale, has said that every man above
40 years should screen for prostate cancer, adding that regular
screening would ensure that the disease is detected early and managed
properly.

Adebowale gave the advice at the free prostate cancer screening
organised by the United Bank for Africa in Lagos. "Prostate cancer in
the curable stage has no symptoms. Men who have reached the age of 40
should begin testing for prostate cancer. It can be detected through
screening exercise when it is asymptomatic. This measures the level of
prostatespecific antigen in the blood. Prostate gland cells
manufacture this antigen, whether normal or cancerous," he said.

Corroborating his statement, Director of the International Agency for
Research on Cancer, WHO's cancer arm, Dr Christopher Wild, noted that,
"Despite exciting advances, this report shows that we cannot treat our
way out of the cancer problem. More commitment to prevention and early
detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved
treatments and address the alarming rise in cancer burden globally."

Adebowale urged men to eat fresh vegetables such as tomatoes to reduce
their chance of developing prostate cancer. "Lycopene-rich foods such
as fresh tomatoes and tomato products are potential effectors in the
prevention and therapy of prostate cancer. This provides an overview
on the efficacy of supplementation with tomatoes, tomato products and
lycopene on appropriate surrogate endpoint biomarker such as
metabolite of the insulin-like growth factor pathway in healthy
individuals and prostate cancer patients.

"Consumption of a diet rich in lycopene reduces the aggressive
potential of prostate cancer by inhibiting the neoangiogenesis (the
mechanism in cancer that permits the creation of new blood vessels to
supply cancerous tumours and ensure their growth) that occurs in
tumour development. Higher lycopene intake is associated with lower
angiogenic potential in tumours based on vessel size and shape,"
Adebowale said.

Prostate cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate, a gland
in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are
slow-growing; however, some grow relatively fast. The cancer cells may
spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the
bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms. In later
stages it can cause difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or pain
in the pelvis, back or when urinating.

A disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar
symptoms. Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low
levels of red blood cells. Factors that increase the risk of prostate
cancer include: old age, a family history of the disease, and race.
About 99 per cent of cases occur in those over the age of 50. Having a
first degree relative with the disease increases the risk two to three
folds, according to Wikipedia.
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