Up to 65% of new cases of prostate cancer are detected in patients over the age of 65, and in the majority of these detections the disease is in an advanced stage, which is why men aged 40 and over are recommended to undergo periodic medical check-ups, in order to detect this and other diseases in the early stages.
Data from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) indicate that the prostate cancer It is a malignant tumor that grows in the prostate gland and since it does not present specific symptoms in its initial stages, sufferers cannot suspect the presence of this disease.
Among the main risk factors for prostate cancer, family history stands out, i.e. if a close relative has had or has this tumor (father, brother), there is a high probability of suffering from it.
Other risk factors for prostate cancer are African descent and being over 50 years of age.
This institute indicates that this disease is one of the most frequent causes of mortality from malignant tumors in Mexico.
In 2021, the State of Mexico had 817 deaths from prostate cancer, 19.62% more than in 2020, when there were 683 deaths from this cause, according to INEGI data.
Due to the above, the Mexican entity was the one that recorded the highest number of deaths from prostate cancer last year. Nationwide, 7,916 deaths were reported.
Symptoms
Among the symptoms presented by prostate cancer patients, difficulty or urgency to urinate stands out.
To the above are added pain or burning when urinating and the expulsion of blood in the urine or semen.
The only way to detect if a man has prostate cancer is through a digital rectal exam or a prostate antigen test, which must be in the range no greater than 4 nanograms, i.e. if the value is higher, there it is a high probability that you have the disease or some other benign tumor.
Treatment
If prostate cancer is detected in the early stages, the patient has a high chance of survival.
Treatment may consist of surgery, medications, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but it will depend on each patient, his physical condition and the state of the disease, which is why it is important to see a doctor immediately after detecting this condition.
