•Reports say Black African men have about a 60 per cent higher risk of developing prostate cancer than white men
Prostate cancer is becoming an increasingly important health concern for Nigerian men, with experts urging those at risk to understand the disease and consider early screening.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, its risk factors, and the importance of early detection, reports Saturday Guardian.
Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, meaning men can feel perfectly healthy while the disease progresses.
Black men face higher risk
Black men face a significantly higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer than white men.
Research shows that Black African men have about a 60 per cent higher risk of developing prostate cancer than white men and are 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease.
Researchers are investigating genetic factors that may help explain the increased risk among men of African ancestry.
Family history is another important risk factor. Men with a close relative, particularly a father or brother, who has had prostate cancer face a greater risk. The younger the relative was when diagnosed, the greater the potential risk.
A family history of breast cancer may also be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Early detection can save lives
When prostate cancer is detected and treated before it spreads beyond the prostate, more than 99 per cent of men are still alive five years after diagnosis.
However, late presentation remains a major challenge in prostate cancer care, particularly where awareness, screening and access to specialist treatment are limited.
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate. An elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean a man has cancer, but it can indicate the need for further investigation by a healthcare professional.
“Feeling healthy doesn’t necessarily mean that prostate cancer isn’t there, as the disease often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages,” said Andrew Oberholzer, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
“Regular, age-and risk-appropriate PSA screening gives men a better chance of finding the disease early, when treatments are potentially curative, and outcomes are generally far better.”
Know the warning signs
Prostate cancer starts in the prostate, a small gland located below the bladder.
Early-stage prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. As the disease advances, however, men may experience difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue.
The risk increases with age, making age an important factor when considering screening.
Men with a family history of prostate cancer should also discuss their individual risk with a healthcare professional.
Some inherited genetic factors may contribute substantially to a man’s susceptibility to the disease, making family medical history an important part of risk assessment.
Screening should not wait for symptoms
Health experts stress that men should not wait until symptoms appear before discussing prostate cancer screening.
For Nigerian men, particularly those with a family history of prostate cancer or other recognised risk factors, speaking with a doctor about when to begin PSA testing can help determine an appropriate screening plan.
The key message is simple: knowing your risk and detecting prostate cancer early can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.
Awareness campaign in South Africa
Initiatives such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s Suit Up September campaign and the annual Hollard Daredevil Run aim to encourage more South African men to talk about prostate cancer, understand their risk and consider screening.
This year’s Hollard Daredevil Run takes place on October 23, with funds raised supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).
The funds help raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancers and extend PSA screening to communities where access remains limited.
“There are too many South African men who still know too little about prostate cancer, their personal risk and the importance of getting screened. We need to keep changing that conversation,” said Hollard South Africa’s Head of Experiential Marketing, Adél Kriel.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation has also announced it is developing the first comprehensive Prostate Cancer Registry in partnership with non-profit data analysis organisation Health Quality Assessment and various medical professional societies.
Oberholzer’s message to South African men is straightforward: “Don’t wait for symptoms.”
He urged men to understand their risk, speak to a healthcare provider or local clinic and get screened, noting that early detection can save lives.
