“Our Urology staff indicates key tests for an early diagnosis of prostate cancer, such as the blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and the digital rectal examination (DRE). They are simple, fast procedures and seek to establish the need for a biopsy to rule out the existence of this neoplasm ”, says Dr. Ulises Núñez Romero, a prominent urologist at our clinic who, within the framework of World Prostate Cancer Day, offers us valuable information about this neoplasm:

What is the prostate?

It is a gland the size of a walnut, located under the bladder. Its function is to produce a secretion that is part of the semen. When you get sick, it increases in size and compresses the urethra. Prostate cancer is the most common in men, according to reports from the Ministry of Health, and it originates when prostate cells begin to grow uncontrollably.

Although in its early stages it does not usually cause symptoms, in more advanced stages it may present:

Difficulty urinating, frequent urge to urinate, slow or interrupted urinary flow, blood in urine and semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain, among others.

When to have a medical check-up?

Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed in an advanced stage. For this reason, men should have an annual medical check-up starting at the age of 45. However, if there is a family history of this neoplasm, it must be before.

Currently there are several treatments to fight this cancer:

Depending on its stage, the specialist will recommend the most suitable alternative for the patient; the earlier it is discovered, the greater the chance of a cure. Some treatments involve surgeries, other oral or injectable medications, or a combination of both.

Our specialist recommends:

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight
• Get regular physical exercise
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Do not confuse prostate cancer with benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate, a more common disease in men

If you have any of the symptoms described, it is important to see a urologist, in order to identify the origin of the discomfort and rule out any type of complication.

Dr. Ulises Núñez Romero
Urologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma