Prevent Death From Prostate Enlargement on HWN FAN COLUMN

In 1999, there were approximately 334,888 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States of America, leading to 41,000 deaths. This disease occurs most frequently in elderly men 72 years and above.

Even though we are not keeping statistics for the number of new cases and deaths in Nigeria for this preventable disease, the American example is relevant for us here because there are significant racial differences that are negative for the African male. For example, for the African American male age 50-54, the incidence of prostate cancer is twice as high as the Caucasian American, and it is one third higher for the African American of all ages.

For all Asian men, the incidence of this cancer is relatively low. It is not known what causes this racial difference, but genetics must surely play a part. Diet is another factor that cannot be ruled out, as African American soul food closely mimics many Nigerian diets of pork, beans and greens cooked with plenty of oil and fat. This is therefore a Black Man’s disease that Nigerian men should be concerned about.

The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located under the bladder, surrounding the urinary tract of men. It secretes a fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid, which is part of the semen produced at ejaculation after intercourse.

At the beginning of a cancerous growth, the prostate grows outwardly and internally and becomes enlarged.
The organ is no longer tender and it obstructs the urethra where the urine passes, and eventually obstructs the bladder. This enlargement may eventually become a tumour cell, which can spread to other organs, finally leading to death.

Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of the aged. So, as men age, they should take note of the following symptoms and if they have them, they should definitely pay a visit to a doctor.

When you have a slow urination, especially when the last few drops do not expel easily, you should raise the alarm, and you should also let the doctor check you out if you notice any change in urination as described below:
Frequently going to urinate. This is termed ‘progressive urinary frequency.’
The constant urge to urinate and empty bladder, called urgency.
Nocturia, which is passing urine in the night.
Difficulty in passing urine, termed hesitancy.
Reduced force of urination.
Reduced projectile pressure of urine (ejaculatory pressure).
Blood in the urine.
What makes prostate to enlarge and become cancerous?

Ageing, stress, chemical toxicity, genetics and infection have been identified as some of the factors that can lead to the enlargement of the prostate gland. With ageing, there are hormonal changes associated with getting older, such as decreased production of the male testosterone, prolactin and stress-related hormone, all of which will increase with age.

Source: Dr O. O. Adeniyi, HWN Africa.