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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among South African men, with a one in 15 chance of being diagnosed with this potentially life-threatening disease. This is according to the National Cancer Registry of 2022. Moreover, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) further highlighted that prostate cancer is the most prevalent male cancer globally, with cases on the rise.
In light of these concerning statistics, Mediclinic Newcastle is determined to prioritise this pressing topic, especially during Men’s Health Awareness Month.
To further this cause, Mediclinic Newcastle’s trusted Urologist, Dr Yusuf Ameer, offers his expertise on this serious health issue.
Addressing the widespread occurrence of prostate cancer, Dr Ameer remarked, “Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men, and according to world statistics, you can say that one in eight men will have prostate cancer, which is a sizeable risk, especially with men over the age of 50.”
Despite the alarming statistics, Dr Ameer explained that some racial groups face a higher risk than others. He noted that African men, in particular, are at greater risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than other groups. While the precise reasons for this heightened risk are not entirely understood, Dr Ameer suggested that genetics could play a significant role, urging men to consider their family history and racial background when evaluating potential health risks.
Turning to the symptoms of prostate cancer, Dr Ameer described how the prostate gland enlarges as men age.
“Generally, as men get older, their prostate gland enlarges. So, after the age of 50 years, the prostate gland begins to enlarge and it causes a block to the urinary flow. One of the primary symptoms men will notice is that the flow of urine is not as strong and good as before. Then, slowly men will find they will go frequently to pass urine, and we have this sensation of incomplete voiding, which means that you pass urine, but it feels like you have not emptied.”
Dr Ameer also pointed out that waking up frequently during the night to pass urine is another common symptom of an enlarged prostate.
While these symptoms are indicative of an enlarged prostate, Dr Ameer was quick to clarify that they do not necessarily signal prostate cancer. “An enlarged prostate is part of normal ageing; however, in some men, this enlargement of the prostate can also cause prostate cancer. The only way we pick up prostate cancer is with a screening blood test called a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Test. For now, that is the best screening tool for prostate cancer, as it can pick up prostate cancer at an early stage.”
Furthermore, Dr Ameer further emphasised the importance of regular PSA testing, particularly for men aged 50 and above, as well as those with a family history of prostate cancer or who are of African descent. He recommended that these men undergo the test annually or bi-annually.
Additionally, Dr Ameer stressed a crucial point, “As much as there are symptoms for an enlarged prostate, cancer can exist without symptoms. That is the important message, in that prostate cancer can exist without any symptoms, and the only way to pick it up is with a blood test.”
Addressing common misconceptions about prostate cancer, Dr Ameer noted, “The first one is that there are symptoms when you have prostate cancer, and this is not always true. You can display no symptoms and still have very advanced cancer of the prostate. In its initial stages, prostate cancer is symptomless and faceless,” he explained, once again, underscoring the importance of regular testing.
Another misconception, according to the doctor, is that all prostate cancers are life-threatening. “Not all prostate cancer is life-threatening. The majority of prostate cancers that we (medical professionals) pick up are low-grade prostate cancers, and these cancers are very easily treatable and not life-threatening.”
Developing on this, Dr Ameer went on to explain that there are three main categories of prostate cancer:
- Low-grade prostate cancer
- Intermediate-grade prostate cancer
- High-grade prostate cancer
“In most cases, the cancers are low-grade, meaning that if they are there, they don’t spread very quickly and don’t kill you very quickly. However, if left unattended for many years, it becomes a problem,” he clarified.
Another misconception is that prostate cancer treatment inevitably leads to major complications that can negatively affect your quality of life. However, Dr Ameer reassured patients that treatments for prostate cancer have advanced significantly. “The treatment options we offer are like day procedure treatments, which could cure it,” he declared.
Dr Ameer also outlined the primary treatment options for prostate cancer, including monitoring low-grade prostate cancers without immediate treatment, and addressing the condition as it develops. For more aggressive forms, Bracy Therapy, a radiation treatment, is an effective option. “Bracy Therapy is a day procedure where we put tiny seeds into the prostate, and they radiate the prostate. It’s a day procedure where you’ll be back on your feet the next day, and it is an extremely effective treatment,” Dr Ameer explained.
Another avenue of treatment is robotic surgery, which has gained popularity, and is a minimally invasive option to remove the cancer and is particularly favoured by younger men. Dr Ameer highlighted that this procedure offers high cure rates and favourable long-term outcomes.
When looking at these options, Dr Ameer emphasised that Mediclinic Newcastle provides advanced diagnostic and treatment options not always available in larger centres. “I have a form of biopsy software that probably few in the country have, and it’s called MRI Fusion Biopsy. We are offering our patients world-class options for having their biopsies done and their prostate cancers diagnosed. Mediclinic Newcastle is one of the few hospitals in the country that has this MRI Fusion Biopsy software,” he explained. “Additionally, we have access to an MRI, which helps tremendously in diagnosing prostate cancer. We also offer Bracy Therapy so that patients don’t have to travel for this treatment.”
For patients opting for robotic surgery, Dr Ameer, a qualified robotic surgeon, is able to offer this procedure at Mediclinic Newcastle.
Taking the quality of treatment available through Mediclinic Newcastle and Dr Ameer, Newcastillians can rest assured that they will not have to fear the grips of prostate cancer, as it can be treated if caught in time, with the Mediclinic Newcastle team and Dr Ameer standing at the ready to combat this scourge impacting thousands of men.
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