10 September - Health - September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
On Sakhisizwe today, we heard from Dr Martin De Villiers - Family physician telling us more about Prostate
Cancer. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and it is said to be one
of the most common cancers affecting men throughout the world. The month aims
to encourage more men to talk about the disease
and to be aware of the importance of annual screening. Prostate cancer is an
abnormal growth and multiplication of cells in the prostate which is a small
gland the size of a walnut located below the bladder and around the urethra.
The rapidly multiplying cells form a tumour that is graded from stage 1 to
stage 4 depending on the size and spread of the tumour. In stage 4 the cancer
may have spread to nearby muscles, organs, lymph nodes and other parts of the
body and can lead to death. The risk for prostate cancer increases with age as
70% of men over the age of 70 are likely to be affected and a family history of
it. Some of the symptoms are a need to urinate frequently especially at night,
difficult starting urination or holding it, weak or interrupted flow of urine,
painful urination, blood in urine or semen and frequent lower back pain. For more information contact the Prostate Cancer
Foundation Helpline on (011) 921 5096 or go to www.prostate-ca.co.za
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