The Lagos State chapter of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has sounded the alarm on the rising cases of prostate disorders among men in the country.
Prostate disorders encompass Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and prostate cancer, with BPH being the most prevalent, causing prostate enlargement, and prostatitis being inflammation often triggered by bacterial infections.
At the 59th Annual Scientific Conference of AMLSN in Lagos, the medical professionals emphasized the need for heightened awareness and early detection, as most men with prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, seek medical attention too late due to a lack of knowledge about the symptoms.
Notably, younger men in their 40s are now being diagnosed with prostate disorders, a shift from the previous trend of older men being affected.
Frequent urination, particularly at night, is a telling symptom, and men experiencing this should seek medical evaluation. The prostate gland, a vital part of the male reproductive system, is often overlooked until symptoms arise.
By raising awareness and adopting a multidisciplinary approach, early detection and precision diagnosis can become a reality.
Omoyemi highlighted, “In recent times, we have found out that among men, be it prostate cancer, prostatitis, and some prostate disorders have been a devil that has befallen man.
“We found out that in recent times, there is this increase in the presentation of these prostate disorders and it is beginning to be very alarming in our various hospitals. That is what stimulated our thought in terms of our theme for this year’s conference and there is a need for us to escalate this topic and create more awareness.
“In those days, it used to be very older men that came down with these disorders but these days, as young as a 40-year-old man is battling with the condition. It calls for concern.”
The laboratory scientist emphasized the importance of raising awareness among men to undergo annual screening for prostate health.
Stressing the significance of early detection, the healthcare expert noted that timely identification of any disease, including prostate disorders, significantly improves survival chances.
He highlighted common symptoms of prostate disease, such as difficulty urinating, frequent nighttime urination, and trouble starting or stopping the flow of urine.
Notably, research indicates that Black men have a 70% higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are 2.3 times more likely to succumb to the disease compared to White men.
The medical laboratory scientist urged men to prioritize regular health check-ups to ensure early detection and effective management of prostate-related issues.
“As men increase in age, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. It is also hereditary. If a relative has a history of prostate cancer, then there is twice the likelihood of developing the disease.
“This is why it is advisable for men aged 40 and above, to begin early screening for detection of the disease. Screening for the disease may include Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA, and other tests.”
According to the World Health Organization’s data, Nigeria faces a staggering cancer burden, with over 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year, resulting in approximately 80,000 fatalities. This translates to a daily average of 240 cancer-related deaths, equivalent to 10 lives lost every hour.
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that prostate cancer symptoms vary among individuals. While some men may not exhibit any symptoms, others may experience difficulties in urination, such as struggling to start or maintain a steady flow, frequent nighttime urination, or feeling like the bladder is not fully empty.
Additionally, some men may encounter painful or burning sensations during urination. Dr. Rufus Ojewola, a Consultant Urologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing prostate cancer effectively.
He stressed that a comprehensive team, comprising not just doctors but also various laboratory medicine specialists, is essential for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of prostate disease management are addressed, leading to better outcomes for patients.
“It takes more than one specialist to diagnose, treat, and manage a patient with prostate disease.
The urologist explained, “Sometimes, you need to send samples to the laboratory or ask for a radiological evaluation by ultrasound and other imaging studies to get complete information so that you can treat patients properly.
“As a urologist, I ask the patients questions about symptoms and I examine them to get their signs, but of course, I will need to depend on the results of what was found in the blood, in urine, and other things.
“The summary of the conference is to raise awareness that prostate diseases are very common in our environment, hence, the need for people to submit themselves for screening.”
Ojewola identified age, race, and heredity as the major risk factors for prostate disease, but noted that there is no known cause of prostate cancer.
He elaborated, “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men beyond the middle age.
“There have been some insinuations and misconceptions about prostate cancer; most people have attributed it to spiritual attack, having multiple sexual partners, and sexually transmitted diseases; but scientifically, these are not true.
“The major cause of prostatic disease is the ageing process, which causes the prostate to enlarge.
“Rracial predispositions also play a role, as prostate diseases are generally more common in black men than in men of other races. Additionally, hereditary factors are significant, as prostate diseases can run in families.”
