Disinformation, taboos and cultural beliefs are the main obstacles to carry out the timely and adequate detection of prostate cancer, warned Dr. Rubén Zuart Alvarado, head of the Area of Detection of Chronic Diseases and Cancer of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). As an example, he cited that 45 percent of men choose not to continue with medical exams to avoid rectal examination.
However, the comprehensive detection of this disease – which prevents the death of many older adults– It requires three studies: questionnaire of prostate symptoms, prostate antigen and rectal examination of the prostate; the latter is essential for an accurate and comprehensive assessment, he pointed out.
For this reason, the IMSS doctor exhorted male beneficiaries between 40 and 44 years of age with direct relatives with prostate cancer, and with an age of 45 to 74 years without risk factors to carry out the comprehensive evaluation in the Family Medicine Units (UMF).
Dr. Zuart Alvarado indicated that “with early detection, the potential negative effects of advanced cancer can be avoided.” In order to promote the health of the beneficiaries, the head of the Chronic Diseases and Cancer Detection Area highlighted the importance of continuing with informational strategies that motivate men to request cancer screening studies. “A well-informed population is capable of changing beliefs and cultural obstacles to make decisions that favor their health.”
He added that “as more information about prostate cancer is provided, the importance of prostate cancer is better understood. comprehensive detection”. Likewise, he indicated that an environment of trust must be generated and empathy with the patient should be maintained so that it allows acceptance of the test.
Dr. Zuart Alvarado explained that prostate cancer is characterized by being a silent disease that does not always cause symptoms or discomfort that indicate the presence of the tumor, until it causes obstruction of the urethra. This obstruction manifests itself in difficulty in emptying the bladder, straining or bleeding when urinating, persistent dripping at term and even with sexual impotence. Later, the cancer becomes visible through the tumor that grows and can be felt.
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