Early diagnosis of prostate cancer saves lives

Every year, September 15th is observed as Prostate Cancer Awareness Day to draw attention to prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men worldwide.

While the importance of regular check-ups is emphasized in the disease, which has a high rate of cure with early diagnosis, it is stated that men over the age of 50 are especially in the risk group.

Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital Urology Clinic Education and Administrative Manager Prof. Dr. Halil Lütfi Canat told an AA correspondent that approximately 1.5 million people worldwide are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and that thanks to early diagnosis, the disease can be completely treated, especially in the localized stage.

Canat stated that approximately 350,000 people worldwide lose their lives due to this cancer every year.

Canat noted that such awareness days raise patients' awareness about when to come for checkups and screenings. He said, "We especially want every man over the age of 50 to see a urologist and get a prostate cancer screening. We also want patients with a family history of prostate cancer to start prostate cancer screening programs starting in their 40s. Because even though prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, thanks to these screening programs, we are no longer losing patients to prostate cancer, especially if we detect it in the localized stage."

Stating that prostate cancer is a disease of advanced age, Canat noted that age is one of the most important risk factors for prostate cancer.

Canat stated that environmental factors are also relatively related to prostate cancer, saying that prostate cancer is more common in societies that consume a diet rich in high-fat animal products, and that the risk of prostate cancer also increases when vegetable, fruit and fiber consumption is low.

Every man needs to see a doctor when he turns 50.

Prof. Dr. Canat stated that there are some false rumors circulating among the public that going to the toilet while standing causes prostate cancer, and that there is no scientific basis for most of these rumors.

Canat stated that going to the toilet while standing can cause other problems, but that it has no direct relationship with prostate cancer.

Canat said, "Dietary factors are important. It's absolutely essential to eat a healthy diet. Smoking and alcohol are harmful habits that have been linked to prostate cancer, so they should be avoided. A diet rich in fiber is essential. Excessive red meat and foods high in saturated fatty acids should be avoided."

Noting that prostate cancer can be treated in different ways, especially depending on its stage, Canat said:

"It's a disease that can be treated with chemotherapy and hormonotherapy, ranging from what we call active surveillance, which involves waiting and monitoring without doing anything, to once it becomes metastatic. However, for localized or locally advanced prostate cancer, which we often encounter as urologists, our primary treatment option is surgery. In our clinic, we treat such patients with robotic surgery. Of course, this is a significant advantage in centers where robotic surgery is available. Why? Because after prostate cancer surgery, our patients often experience problems such as urinary incontinence and loss of sexual function, especially in the long term. The most significant advantage of robotic surgery is the nerve-sparing method, meaning it protects the nerves and vessels running just behind and to the sides of the prostate, allowing our patients to regain urinary continence early on and to preserve their sexual function as much as possible."

Canat stated that every man should contact a urologist when he turns 50, and recommended that those with risk factors in their family see a doctor in their 40s.