November has been dubbed Movember, which is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during this month to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
By encouraging men to get involved, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men globally.
More than 1.3 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Most men have a fear of visiting health facilities and when they eventually do, it’s too late and doctors are unable to do much to save them. Movember wants to change this unfortunate practice. Know the facts and take action early.
The difference between early detection and late detection can be life and death. Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, but that doesn’t mean it’s a disease that only affects old men. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide.
Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
Signs and symptoms:
• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in having an erection
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Testing still can’t answer lots of key questions about disease aggression, prognosis and progression. Treatment options are many and varied. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's important to keep in mind that many prostate cancers are slow-growing and may not need surgery or other radical treatment.
Treatment options include active surveillance; prostatectomy; radiotherapy; hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
If detected early, prostate cancer can be beaten and many men have gone on to lead healthy lives after the treatment. So for the next 30 days, get hairy, get active, and get talking to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives.
