Deaths from prostate cancer have been on the rise, however, despite the mortalities, the good news is that it is treatable if detected early.

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that can only be found in males, and it is responsible for the production of seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Sadly, prostate cancer, after skin cancer, is the most common cancer among men and the mortality and morbidity rate is higher among blacks.

According to the World Health Organisation and the World Cancer Research Fund International, there were over 1.4 million new cases of prostate cancer in 2020.

Recently, the former governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, died of prostate cancer in the early hours of Wednesday, while receiving treatment in Germany.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju.

Akeredolu had commenced his medical leave in June and travelled to Germany for treatment.

After spending three months in the European country, he returned to Ibadan where he was said to be undergoing chemotherapy.

While away from Ondo State, the late governor was criticised for not transiting power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as stated in the constitution.

However, on December 13, he officially handed over power and returned to Germany to continue with his treatment, but he succumbed to the cold hands of death.

Prostate cancer, according to a health portal, Mayo Clinic is a type of cancer that occurs in the prostate.

In its early stages, medical experts who spoke in earlier interviews with press Healthwise stated that there might be no obvious signs or symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage.

A researcher on Prostate cancer and a professor of Radiation Medicine, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Ifeoma Okoye, stated that prostate cancer is a leading cause of death, disability, and suffering to increasingly large numbers of Nigerian men.

She added that its “annual incidence in Nigeria is quoted to be 127/100,000 men and is one of the highest in the world. Increasingly, many Nigerian men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer and often at very advanced stages, when unfortunately, little can be done except to palliate (keep the patient as comfortable as possible, whilst waiting for the inevitable death).”

Here are some inexhaustible survival tips on prostate cancer.

Know your risk factors

Age, gene factor, obesity, lifestyle differences and the consumption of processed foods, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyle are some identifiable risks of prostate cancer.

It is, therefore, important for men, especially those with a history of prostate in their family, to see a specialist for early screening and counselling.

Early diagnosis

A professor of Urology at the University of Abuja, Oseremen Aisuodionoe-Shadrach, asserted that every man from 40 years and above should undergo screening and tests for prostate cancer.

An early diagnosis would ensure early treatment and prevention of spread to other parts of the body.

Healthwise, he said, “Prostate cancer spreads very easily and the commonest place it spreads to is the bones. If it has spread, it is no longer a local disease; it is now called a metastatic advanced disease.

“If it is an early disease, the treatment would be to take out the entire prostrate in a surgery called radical prostatectomy, if it is now an advanced or metastatic disease, other forms of treatment can come into it.”

Prevention

Prostate cancer is easily preventable, especially when one’s risk factor is not a familial trait.

A professor of Pathology at the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Charles Anunobi, stated, “Things that could prevent it include, healthy living. eat vegetables; avoid meat, especially fatty meat once above 40. White meat is preferable and fish is better.

“Take legumes because they have what is called anti-oxidants and they can prevent damage to the DNA. When there is damage to the DNA that is when you have cells going haywire when they divide. Exercise is another thing. When you exercise it leads to opening up of the blood vessels of the body. It carries oxygen to all the cells, including the dormant areas.”

Also, the American Cancer Society adds, “But there are some things you can do that might lower your risk of prostate cancer. The effects of body weight, physical activity, and diet on prostate cancer risk aren’t completely clear, but there are things you can do that might lower your risk. Some studies have found that men who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer that is more likely to be fatal. Although not all studies agree, several have found a higher risk of prostate cancer in men whose diets are high in dairy products and calcium.

“So, Get to and stay at a healthy weight, keep physically active, follow a healthy eating pattern, which includes a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and avoid or limit red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and highly processed foods.”

Know the symptoms

Symptoms of prostate cancer at the advanced stages, according to the Mayo Clinic, are trouble with urinating, decreased force in the stream of the urine, blood in urine, blood in the semen, bone pain, losing weight without trying and erectile dysfunction.

Whenever either of these signs are noticed, it is pertinent to go see a doctor, it advised.

Lifestyle change

Speaking further, Okoye said that to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, “Men must adopt a proactive and disciplined mindset, prioritising accurate information & ensuring they take necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of this insidious disease, such as taking practical measures to screen regularly and embracing healthy lifestyle habits.”