November has been associated with men's health for several years now. Every year, thanks to the Movember campaign, people around the world are reminded of the importance of prostate cancer prevention. 

Prostate cancer is malignant, and it is the second most common cancer diagnosis in Czech men. Unfortunately, the exact causes of prostate cancer are not yet known. However, there are certain factors that may contribute to the development of this disease. These are mainly associated with age, genetic predisposition, but also lifestyle. Usually, men aged 50 and above are most at risk. However, if there is a family history of prostate cancer (father, grandfather, uncle, brother), the risk expands to men over 40. 

Moreover, the disease is very difficult to detect in the early stages. Patients only begin to experience symptoms, such as problems urinating, when the tumour reaches a certain size or when it metastasises- most often in the bones. A patient with advanced prostate cancer usually complains of difficulty urinating, back and hip pain, a decline in performance, sudden unexplained weight loss, general weakness, erectile dysfunction, or painful ejaculation. Although these symptoms are ultimately caused by prostate cancer in only about one in ten men, it is always crucial to seek the help of a urologist if symptoms arise.

Laboratory tests can also help to detect the disease early on, for example, as part of the Men's Health 45+ package. The function of individual organs can be checked from a blood, urine, or stool sample. The examination provides information on the blood count, as well as the condition of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, metabolism, sugars, urine, and stool. For men over 45 years of age, a prostate marker test is also included. If necessary, patients can also consult the results of the test with a doctor, through the Doctor Online 24/7 service.

A few minutes and a simple examination can a life

To rule out the diagnosis of prostate cancer, patients undergo a biopsy which involves taking a sample of the prostate tissue. The biopsy is performed with the patient in the supine position, where an ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum, through which several prostate samples are taken with a needle and sent for histological examination. The examination is not a pleasant experience for the patient and therefore every effort is taken to be considerate and sensitive during the examination.

The entire procedure takes no more than 5-10 minutes and, with the help of modern equipment, can be performed in the form of a day surgery. This allows the patient to go home after just two to three hours after the procedure. The biggest obstacle for many men is shame or fear of complications when it comes to this examination. But the doctors say shame is completely unnecessary. Most often, men are deterred from prevention by the fear of the examination itself. However, the procedure is short, and it is more about the discomfort of inserting the ultrasound probe into the rectum than the pain. It is also the most reliable form of prevention. Men are advised to visit their urologist’s office at least once a year, in the same frequency that women are advised to have get a gynaecological check-up.