Key points:
- Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in Mexico in men over 65 years old.
- 70% are diagnosed at an advanced stage.
- Men over the age of 40 should have a prostate antigen blood test for early detection.
The prostate is an endocrine organ part of the male reproductive organs, weighs between 20 and 25 gr, is the size of a walnut, and is located in the pelvis just below the bladder, surrounding the urethra; its function, along with the testes and seminal vesicles, is to produce semen.
Generally, when there is a sick prostate, it begins to increase in size and, consequently, oppresses the bladder. The diseases that most frequently affect the prostate are cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostatitis, the latter two are not usually serious.
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in the prostate gland and that in its early stages does not have specific symptoms, so it is considered a silent disease. In Mexico, it is the leading cause of death in men over 65 years old and at least 70% are diagnosed when they are in advanced stages.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Because the symptoms are not very specific, prevention is a key factor for timely diagnosis and treatment, so before any of the following signs, we recommend you see your doctor immediately. Among the most common are urinary obstruction, sudden expulsion or dribbling of urine, efforts to achieve an erection, and numbness in the legs or feet.
Risk factors
As in any other disease, the risk factors can vary, however, men over 40 years old should observe their lifestyle and have a prostate antigen test. Some of these factors include the following:
- Age
- Race/ethnic group
- Nationality
- Family history
- Genes
- Diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Prostate inflammation
- Sexually transmitted diseases
At the Cancer Center of the ABC Medical Center we can give you specialized care. Contact us!
