Prostate Cancer: What Ghanaian men need to know

For many men, prostate health is a subject they would rather not discuss until a serious problem develops. But when it comes to prostate cancer, waiting for symptoms may mean missing an opportunity to detect the disease early.

Prostate cancer is one of the major health concerns affecting men, and men of African ancestry are considered to have a higher risk of developing the disease. Age and family history can also significantly increase the risk.

For Ghanaian men, understanding the warning signs, risk factors and screening options can therefore be an important step towards protecting their health.

What exactly is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It forms part of the male reproductive system.

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate grow uncontrollably. Some prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause serious problems, while others can be more aggressive and spread to other parts of the body.

That difference is important because an early diagnosis does not automatically mean a man needs immediate aggressive treatment. Doctors consider the type and stage of the cancer when deciding what treatment or monitoring is appropriate.

The silent danger: early prostate cancer may have no symptoms

One of the biggest challenges with prostate cancer is that early-stage disease often produces no noticeable symptoms.

A man may therefore feel perfectly healthy while cancer is developing in the prostate. This is one reason discussions about screening can be important, particularly for men at higher risk.

As the disease progresses, however, symptoms can include:

• Difficulty starting urination
• A weak or interrupted urine stream
• Frequent urination, particularly at night
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Painful ejaculation
• Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis
• Erectile difficulties

But these symptoms do not automatically mean a man has prostate cancer. Other prostate and urinary conditions can cause similar problems, so medical evaluation is important rather than self-diagnosis.

Why Ghanaian men should pay attention

Race and ancestry are among the factors associated with prostate cancer risk. The American Cancer Society specifically identifies Black men as being at higher risk and recommends that they discuss the potential benefits and risks of screening with a healthcare provider from an earlier age than men at average risk.

Family history matters too.

A man whose father or brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 may have a higher risk and should discuss screening earlier with a healthcare professional. Men with more than one first-degree relative diagnosed at an early age may warrant an even earlier discussion.

What is the PSA test?

One of the most commonly used tests for prostate cancer screening is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

PSA is produced by the prostate. An elevated PSA level can be associated with prostate cancer, but it can also occur because of an enlarged prostate, prostate infection and other conditions. Therefore, a high PSA result does not by itself prove that a man has cancer.

Depending on the circumstances, a doctor may recommend additional tests, and a biopsy may ultimately be needed to determine whether cancer is present.

At what age should men consider screening?

There is no single screening schedule that is right for every man.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk begin a discussion with their healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks of screening at age 50.

For men at higher risk — including Black men and men with a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 — that discussion is recommended from age 45.

For men at particularly high risk because they have more than one first-degree relative diagnosed at an early age, the discussion may begin at age 40.

These are guidelines for a discussion with a healthcare professional, not a command that every man must undergo testing at exactly those ages.

Don’t wait until you have serious symptoms

A common mistake is to assume that a prostate problem will always announce itself through difficulty urinating.

That is not necessarily the case.

Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, which means men who are concerned about their risk should speak to a qualified healthcare professional about whether screening is appropriate rather than waiting for serious symptoms to appear.

Can prostate cancer be prevented?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer.

However, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and following a healthy eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains may help lower cancer risk generally and may also help reduce prostate cancer risk.

Men should also avoid tobacco and discuss their individual health risks with healthcare professionals.

The message for Ghanaian men

Prostate cancer should not be a taboo subject.

For Ghanaian men, particularly those who are older or have a family history of prostate cancer, knowing their risk and discussing screening with a healthcare professional can be an important part of taking control of their health.

Most importantly, do not interpret urinary symptoms or a PSA result on your own. A healthcare professional can determine whether further examination or testing is necessary.

Early detection can provide more options for managing prostate cancer, while informed screening decisions can help balance the potential benefits against the possible harms of unnecessary testing and treatment.

If you are concerned about prostate cancer or have symptoms, speak to a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on self-medication or online advice.