Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of men being diagnosed with prostate disorders in the country.
Prostate disorders which are health conditions associated with men comprise Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
BPH is the most common, causing an enlarged prostate, while prostatitis is inflammation, often caused by bacterial infections.
The medical laboratory scientists disclosed that in recent times, there has been an increase in the number of men presenting with prostate disorders in health facilities.
The health professionals, who spoke at the 59th Annual Scientific Conference of AMLSN in Lagos with the theme, “Holistic approach to prostate disorders: Integrating multidisciplinary strategies for precision diagnosis”, said there was a need for increased awareness of prostate disorders for early detection.
They noted that most men with prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, present late to the hospital largely due to a lack of awareness about the symptoms of the disease.
Chairman of AMLSN, Lagos State branch, Abioye Omoyemi, said before prostate disorders were seen in older men but now, a lot of young men in their 40s are being diagnosed with the ailment.
The medical laboratory scientist advised men experiencing frequent urination to go for medical evaluation, stressing that frequent urination, especially at night is one of the symptoms of prostate disorders.
He described the prostate as a walnut-sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system and is located below the urinary bladder, in front of the rectum.
Omoyemi said, “In recent times, we have found out that among men, be it prostate cancer, prostatitis, and some prostate disorders have been a devil that has befallen man.
“We found out that in recent times, there is this increase in the presentation of these prostate disorders and it is beginning to be very alarming in our various hospitals. That is what stimulated our thought in terms of our theme for this year’s conference and there is a need for us to escalate this topic and create more awareness.
“In those days, it used to be very older men that came down with these disorders, but these days, as young as a 40-year-old man is battling with the condition. It calls for concern.”
The laboratory scientist noted that there was a need for increased sensitisation among men for them to go for screening at least once a year on how to protect their prostate.
Harping on early detection, the senior health professional said early presentation of any disease condition including prostate disorders leads to higher chances of survival.
He identified difficulty urinating, such as trouble starting the flow of urine and the urge to urinate often, particularly at night as some of the symptoms of prostate disease.
According to research, a black man is 70 per cent more likely to develop prostate cancer than a white man and is nearly 2.3 times more likely to die from the disease.
Advising men to go for regular health screening, the medical lab scientist said, “As men increase in age, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. It is also hereditary. If a relative has a history of prostate cancer, then there is twice the likelihood of developing the disease.
“This is why it is advisable for men aged 40 and above, to begin early screening for detection of the disease. Screening for the disease may include Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA, and other tests.”
The World Health Organisation statistics showed that more than 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually and about 80,000 people lose their lives to the disease. Thus, an average of 240 Nigerians (or 10 Nigerians every hour), die of cancer daily.
Delivering the keynote address, a Consultant Urologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Rufus Ojewola, said a multidisciplinary approach was crucial for the effective management of prostate cancer.
He said diagnosing, treating, and managing a patient with prostate disease requires the services of more than a doctor.
According to him, the services of all branches of laboratory medicine are needed.
“It takes more than one specialist to diagnose, treat, and manage a patient with prostate disease.
The urologist explained, “Sometimes, you need to send samples to the laboratory or ask for a radiological evaluation by ultrasound and other imaging studies to get complete information so that you can treat patients properly.
“As a urologist, I ask the patients questions about symptoms and I examine them to get their signs, but of course, I will need to depend on the results of what was found in the blood, in urine, and other things.
“The summary of the conference is to raise awareness that prostate diseases are very common in our environment, hence, the need for people to submit themselves for screening.”
Ojewola identified age, race, and heredity as the major risk factors for prostate disease, but noted that there is no known cause of prostate cancer.
He added, “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men beyond the middle age.
“There have been some insinuations and misconceptions about prostate cancer; most people have attributed it to spiritual attack, having multiple sexual partners, and sexually transmitted diseases; but scientifically, these are not true.
“The major cause of prostatic disease is the ageing process, which causes the prostate to enlarge.
“Rracial predispositions also play a role, as prostate diseases are generally more common in black men than in men of other races. Additionally, hereditary factors are significant, as prostate diseases can run in families.”
——–Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate——-
· What causes a man to have prostate problems?
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles r
· What are the symptoms of prostate disorders?
See your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
Frequent urge to urinate.
Need to get up many times during the night to urinate.
Blood in urine or semen.
Pain or burning urination.
Painful ejaculation.
Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or upper thighs.
Dribbling of urine.
· When do prostate problems start?
Any man can develop a prostate problem. Prostatitis can affect men of all ages. However, it is the most common prostate problem in men younger than age 50. BPH is the most common prostate problem in men older than age 50.
· What can I drink to clean my prostate?
Besides teas, other drinks can help improve overall prostate health and potentially reduce symptoms of BPH:
Water. Staying hydrated is crucial for overall good health, including that of the prostate.
Tomato juice. Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene. …
Citrus juice.
· Can prostate be cured?
For the majority of patients, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a curable problem. The good news is that there are several ways to treat it. So, you never need to suffer in silence.
· What are the 5 warning signs of an enlarged prostate?
These include: Benign (noncancerous) prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – Commonly referred to as “prostate enlargement,” BPH can cause many of the same symptoms as prostate cancer, including pain while urinating, frequent urination, difficulty starting/stopping urination and bloody urine.
· How can I stop prostate problems?
· Improve Your Diet
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Get Regular Exercise
Stop Smoking and Drink Less
Increase Your Vitamin D
Stay Sexually Active
· At what age should I check prostate?
When should men get a prostate exam? According to the American Cancer Society, men and people who were assigned male at birth (AMAB) should have their first prostate exam by age 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should consider having your first prostate exam at age 45.
· Is milk OK for prostate?
Many studies have found a link between milk and prostate cancer rates, so if you can, it may be best to avoid milk or cut down on your intake.
· How do I know I have a prostate problem?
Signs of an enlarged prostate can include: difficulty starting or stopping urinating, weak flow of urine, straining when peeing.
· How do I get my prostate back to normal?
Drink less at night. Don’t drink anything for an hour or two before bedtime. …
Limit caffeine and alcohol. They can cause the body to make more urine, irritate the bladder and make symptoms worse.
Watch what you eat. …
Become more active. …
Stay at a healthy weight.
