Prevention of a silent killer starts with greater understanding

A R Omar calls for greater awareness of prostate cancer in the UAE.

A doctor performs a robot-assisted prostate tumorectomy in France. Jeff Pachoud / AFP

At a recent oncology summit in Dubai, there were concerns raised that not enough was being done to raise awareness about a particular disease. In March, a Health Authority – Abu Dhabi study confirmed this same disease as the fourth-biggest cancer, yet it is a disease that is curable and generally only affects men over 50 years of age. About 14 per cent of all men will be affected by prostate cancer during their lives.

The risk of prostate cancer increases significantly with age. Indeed, if you are a man over 60 then you have a 50 per cent chance of getting the disease. That’s right – one in two males could be diagnosed with this cancer once they reach their seventh decade.

Statistics also show that men are 35 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women with breast cancer. Around 20 per cent of all cases of cancer in the UAE are prostate cancer.

Women are to be congratulated for their successful campaigns, pink ribbons and awareness days for breast cancer. They bring huge financial support to disease prevention. Their work has saved thousands of lives.

But just as importantly there is a significant need for better prostate cancer awareness.

However, some steps have been taken to improve this.

In 2013, the Dubai Health Authority launched a prostate cancer awareness campaign. Yet, we need to do more to spread the word. How many people know that prostate cancer awareness month is September? How many men know that prostate cancer can be treated and is curable?

I feel strongly that men should have wider support for prostate cancer.

Men do not need to die from prostate cancer. If men are aware of the problem early enough then this disease can be prevented.

Part of the problem is that often the symptoms are subtle. This is why it is sometimes referred to as a silent disease. However, there are a few signs that can give prostate cancer away.

The prostate is located near the bladder, it’s a walnut-sized gland and almost all men will develop some enlargement of the prostate as they age. Enlargement of the prostate, is the most common problem in men over 50.

As the prostate grows it sometimes presses on the bladder. Symptoms can include frequent, hesitant or burning urination. Men also need to be aware that pain in the lower back and upper thighs is a possible symptom and they should see a doctor.

Better still, if once a year men over 50 consented to having a simple blood test called PSA (prostate specific antigen) then the disease could be screened and tackled.

In some countries, women are offered free pap smears for cervical cancer testing. Why shouldn’t men have free screening for prostate cancer over the age of 50? Many lives could be saved. This is a benefit to the individual, their families, to society and indeed the economic well-being of nations.

Awareness is growing but yet more needs to be done to put awareness of this “male” disease on a level with pink ribbon days.

So let us start to build a much better understanding of prostate cancer prevention. Let us have awareness days to the point of creating our own awareness symbols. And men, do not be afraid to visit your doctor. Your life could be saved.

A R Omar is an Emirati writer based in Abu Dhabi