Lebanon has a high incidence of prostate cancer compared to other Arab countries. Despite the lack of accurate statistics for the incidence of these malignant tumors.
In Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the cry today is in the field of providing medicines to patients, and secondly in the field of awareness of this disease and the importance of early detection of the infection to ensure full recovery, after the conclusion of studies and experiments with promising results and, above all, greater hope in the recovery rate in the early stages, indeed, prolongs the patient’s life in the very advanced stages.
Dr. Deborah Mukherjee, a specialist in malignant oncology at the American University of Beirut and the Clemenceau Center in Dubai, explains to “Al-Nahar” that “the type of cancer and the stage of its detection determine the type and course of treatment. But early detection remains the best way to prevent prostate cancer and to increase the cure rate. ” “.
Consequently, if the cancer has been discovered in its early stages and has been confined, specialists can resort to robotic surgery, which is considered the most accurate and effective for removing the tumor, as well as limiting the side effects resulting from the operation. and also ensuring faster recovery for the patient.
Radiation therapy may be the second way, after having recorded effective and good results, especially in elderly patients who are unable to perform surgery. However, this does not negate the complementarity of the two treatments together.
If the tumor is first-degree and the cancer cells are slow-growing, it is sufficient to monitor it only by doing a PSA test every 3 months and an MRI every six months to monitor the course and size of the tumor.
Deborah points out that “these two treatments are best at treating limited prostate cancer in its early stages, and give good and effective results. It is necessary to switch to other treatments for prostate cancer that has spread (to the bone – lymph nodes). ), the most important of which is hormone therapy (injections – drugs).
Some hormonal treatments have proved surprising and good results, especially in the fourth stage of the disease, when there was success in improving the patient’s life. In 70% of patients, hormone therapy helped extend their life for more than five years.
There are also new treatments associated with changes in genes and others specific to radiation therapy. Therefore, it is important to know that modern treatments have helped to reduce complications and side effects and improve the patient’s life, especially when accompanied by a healthy diet, exercise, intake of necessary vitamins and monitoring of heart health and cholesterol level. .
However, treatment, whatever it may be, may have some side effects that can be mitigated by maintaining heart and bone health and adhering to necessary medical and nutritional guidelines.
Regarding the incidence of prostate cancer in Lebanon, which tops the list of Arab countries, Deborah points out that “the absence of official statistics prevents us from determining the correct rate. However, early detection and awareness can play a role. a role in the problem of medical follow-up and make this percentage the highest in the Arab region, although it is normal compared to prostate cancer rates in Lebanon. American and European countries For example, at about 4% in the States United States is diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, while in Lebanon, at American University Hospital, about 25 percent are diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer. .
Deborah stresses the importance of every man over the age of 40 having a PSA blood test, especially if the person has a family history of prostate cancer. The man should speak to his doctor, conduct annual examinations to detect the prostate, and most importantly, know the family history with the disease, which helps identify risk factors and monitor the prostate periodically and permanently.
And the risk factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer are:
* Aging
Family history and prostate cancer
* Obesity and weight gain
* No exercise or physical activity
* Unhealthy diet
* Smoke.
While some of these factors are difficult to control, others can be changed to improve quality of life, such as eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Late stage symptoms
The biggest challenge lies in early detection, in the absence of any warning symptoms for prostate cancer in its early stages, according to Dr. Mukherjee, who points out that it is important to know that the prostate gland changes with age, and this is a sufficient reason for the patient to undergo periodic checks to ensure the integrity of the prostate.
As for the symptoms that appear in the advanced stages, the most obvious are:
Difficulty urinating
Frequent urination at night
A burning sensation or pain when urinating
Pain in the lower abdomen or back
– Lose weight.
Therefore, prevention remains better than a thousand treatments, and periodic examinations are mainly used in the face of prostate cancer, as any symptoms or changes can be an indication of what can be more dangerous.
