Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from malignant diseases in men, and it is the second most common malignant tumor in men in the world. In order to draw attention to serious health problems that occur in men, the Movember movement was founded. In this name, during the month of November, the men participating in the action grow and maintain their beards and mustaches. Today, several million people around the world participate in the action, so Movember has become a symbol of raising awareness about men's vicious diseases, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer, but also about their mental health.
The UNIQA company, The Capital Plaza and the polyclinic Rezidenza zdravla Kerber are celebrating Movember this year and reminding all men to take care of their health. On this occasion, we spoke with the urologist, Dr. Vladimir Brajović.
What affects the development of prostate cancer?
There are several theories, as with other malignant diseases, but the exact cause is unknown. Risk factors are age (the risk increases with age) and family history (if a close male relative had the disease, the risk is twice as high). Also, many studies have shown that in urban cities there is a higher percentage of disease; obesity and a diet with a high percentage of fat increase the risk; untreated prostatitis and sexually transmitted infections can affect the development of this disease, etc.
What symptoms are indicators that a man is suffering from prostate cancer?
The symptoms of prostate cancer are, unfortunately, the same as those of benign prostate enlargement, except in the terminal phase of the disease when the symptomatology of metastasis manifests itself in the form of severe pain in the bones.
What methods can be used to diagnose cancer?
There are several methods, namely the PSA test, digital rectal examination, MRI of the prostate and TRUS biopsy of the prostate.
How does cancer treatment proceed once the diagnosis is established?
In the initial stages of the disease, the therapy is either operative or total androgen blockade in combination with radical air treatment. In milder cases, which are older, even just monitoring is possible. In all other cases, therapy depends on the stage of the disease.
What is the situation in Montenegro regarding prostate cancer?
There are no official statistics with which I could specify the number of patients on an annual basis in our country, but what I can say from my practice is that from year to year men are checking their health more and more regularly.
When is the ideal time for a man to have his first examination?
Preventive examinations should start from the age of 45, and if the patient is genetically burdened, ie. if one of his close relatives was ill, then preventive examinations should be started even earlier, between the ages of 35 and 40. Unfortunately, it is not possible to cure cancer in metastases, so it is very important that men perform preventive examinations in order to detect everything in time.
After removal, can the cancer come back, as it does with many other types of cancer?
It can, in cases where at the time of diagnosis, some micro-metastases were developing, which could not be registered with existing diagnostic methods.
Polyclinic Rezidencija Zdravlja Kerber traditionally every year in November gives discounts on urologist examinations and ultrasounds in order not to stimulate male patients to undergo preventive examinations.
UNIQA continues in December with socially responsible projects. In cooperation with The Capital Plaza Center, next month they will traditionally organize the largest corporate action, the Day of Voluntary Blood Donation.
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