This type of cancer is recorded mostly among males over 45 years of age, and according to data from the National Cancer Registry, is the second-most-frequent type of cancer, just after lung cancer. Prostate cancer, described here, is the second-most-frequent cause of deaths among cancer diseases.
Prostate cancer, also called prostata or prostatic gland cancer, is a type of cancer attacking the prostate gland - an organ of chestnut size, located below the bladder.
In the last ten years, the annual number of males diagnosed with this type of cancer has doubled - from about five to almost ten thousand. The number of deaths from it has also increased - from three to more than four thousand.
Causes and symptoms
The causes of prostate cancer are not fully known yet; it is known however that the risk factors are age, ethnicity (e.g. rare in Asians) and hereditary burden.
The early forms of prostate cancer often run without any symptoms. However, frequent and difficult urination (even at night), blood in the urine or semen, and erectile dysfunction should make men alert. The males who are aware that their relatives are suffering from prostate cancer at an early age, especially their fathers and brothers, should be also alerted.
“If we take an informed decision about health check at an early stage, we will have a chance of detecting the cancer at a stage when it can be treated radically and effectively" Dr. Iwona Skoneczna from the Cancer of Oncology in Warsaw says. She adds that early-detected prostate cancer is curable.
The first tests
When you find worrying symptoms, you should consult your urologist, who will conduct basic tests in the direction of prostate cancer. These are the application of a finger through the anus (the so-called rectal examination) and the PSA test.
“The rectal examination is actually not very pleasant, but it takes a very short time. Another examination that helps us focus attention on patients requiring care is a blood test labelling the prostatic PSA antigen," says Dr. Skoneczna.
If your doctor suspects prostate cancer, he/she may recommend a biopsy to sample a piece of tissue for histological examination. In addition, in a diagnosis of prostate cancer, transrectal ultrasound is used, and in the case of a suspicion of metastases an X-ray examination might be recommended, among others.
Treatment
Prostate cancer therapy includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Surgical methods are also used - an operation involving the removal of the entire prostate gland before metastases appear.
In accordance with the new list of refunded drugs for patients with advanced prostate cancer, the new-generation hormonal drug abiraterone acetate has been also refunded from January 1, 2014.
“The funding of this drug means the possibility of treating patients to whom we have as yet had nothing to offer" says Prof. Piotr Wysocki from the Department of Chemotherapy at the Greater Poland Cancer Centre in Poznań.
Prophylaxis
Currently, Poland does not run any national programme of prophylactic screening tests for prostate cancer. This is in line with the recommendations of the European Association of Urology, which would rather recommend health-prevention education among males.
Preventive factors for all oncological cancers include maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, and proper nutrition. The reduced consumption of animal fats in favour of fruit, groat, flour products, and vegetables is of particular importance.
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