Health experts are urging Nigerian men, particularly those with known risk factors, to learn about prostate cancer and discuss early screening with healthcare professionals.
Prostate cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, allowing the disease to progress while an affected person may still feel healthy.
Research indicates that Black men face a higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer compared with white men. Reports cited in the awareness campaign indicate that Black African men have about a 60 per cent higher risk of developing the disease and are about 2.5 times more likely to die from it.
Researchers are examining genetic factors that could contribute to the increased risk among men of African ancestry.
Family history is another significant risk factor. Men whose father or brother has had prostate cancer may face a higher risk, particularly when the relative was diagnosed at a younger age. A family history of breast cancer may also be associated with increased prostate cancer risk.
Early detection improves treatment prospects
When prostate cancer is detected before it spreads beyond the prostate, more than 99 per cent of men are alive five years after diagnosis, according to the information cited in the report.
However, late presentation remains a challenge, particularly where awareness, screening and access to specialist treatment are limited.
One of the tools used in screening is the prostate-specific antigen blood test. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, and an elevated level does not automatically mean that a man has cancer. Rather, it may indicate the need for further assessment by a healthcare professional.
Andrew Oberholzer, Chief Executive Officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, stressed that the absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean that prostate cancer is absent.
He encouraged men to undergo screening based on their age and individual risk, noting that early detection can improve treatment outcomes.
Warning signs to watch for
Early prostate cancer often produces no symptoms. As the disease progresses, however, possible warning signs can include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, erectile difficulties, bone pain, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue.
Age is also an important risk factor, while men with a family history of prostate cancer are advised to discuss their individual risk with a doctor.
Experts emphasise that men should not wait until symptoms develop before discussing screening.
For Nigerian men, especially those with a family history or other recognised risk factors, consulting a healthcare professional about when to begin PSA testing can help determine an appropriate screening plan.
The central message from health advocates is that understanding personal risk and detecting prostate cancer early can improve the chances of successful treatment.
