Oncologist named the main risk factors for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer of the genitourinary system in men. Detecting it at early stages allows achieving good results in treatment, so timely diagnosis plays a very important role, said Magomed Sulimanov, an oncologist and consultant of the Resymon platform (an application for collecting data on the well-being of cancer patients). He told Izvestia on January 28 about prostate cancer risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment.

The expert noted that the disease is most often diagnosed in men aged 50 to 70. Its prevalence varies by region or race. For example, in the United States, in the male population of African-American origin, it occurs 60% more often than in light-skinned men.

Among the main risk factors for the development of the disease oncologist named: inappropriate lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, strong and narcotic substances, sedentary lifestyle); environmental influences (harmful industries, etc.); race (the risk of prostate cancer in African Americans is significantly higher); nutrition (regular consumption of excessive amounts of animal fats); genetic predisposition (presence of germinal mutation BRCA2, prostate cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, etc.); genetic predisposition (presence of BRCA2 mutation, prostate cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, etc.); genetic predisposition (presence of germinal mutation BRCA2, prostate cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer, etc.).

"The insidiousness of this disease is that in the early stages, in the vast majority of cases, it does not manifest itself in any way. Unfortunately, most people in the absence of any complaints do not undergo screening tests, which is the main problem in detecting prostate cancer at an early stage. Therefore, the first thing I advise all men after the age of 50 is to take a test for free and total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at least once a year, to perform transrectal ultrasound (TRUSI) of the prostate, as well as to determine the prostate health index (PHI)," Sulimanov said.

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He pointed out that in the vast majority of cases men consult a doctor after the appearance of clinical manifestations of the disease, which usually indicates its neglected stage.

Such symptoms, according to him, include: pain in the groin, pain during sexual intercourse and erection, difficult, frequent and painful urination, the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria). These manifestations are the main ones in the locally advanced form of prostate cancer.

In the presence of distant metastasis - a late stage - patients' general condition worsens, there is a sharp decline in strength, weight loss, deterioration of appetite, anemia, constant pain in the area of distant metastasis.

"When prostate cancer is confirmed, it is important that the treating physician is aware of the patient's complete condition. It is very important that patients tell their doctors what is bothering them, right down to how they go to the bathroom. This is a seemingly trivial but very important question. It is necessary to know what the dynamics of pain, whether painkillers help, if so, which ones help and which ones do not", - emphasized the oncologist.

In addition, the patient should report how things are with nutrition, blood pressure, tests, etc. Then the chances of recovery will increase significantly, he said.

Treatment, he said, is selected individually and depends on the stage of the disease, the extent of the tumor, its histotype, etc. The following methods may be involved: surgery; hormone therapy; remote radiation therapy; chemotherapy; chemotherapy; brachytherapy, radionuclide therapy.

Earlier, on December 4, 2024, Suna Isakova, oncologist of the medical company "SberZdorovye" told "Izvestia" that malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity and oropharynx are relatively rare - less than 10 cases per 100 thousand people per year. The cause of their development is considered to be tobacco in various forms (chewing, in the form of cigarettes), as well as the use of strong alcohol, infection with human papillomavirus, especially the 16th and 18th types.