4 GOT A NEWS STORY? Call our news desk on (043) 702-2125. Find us on Facebook 19 November 2020 GO & EXPRESSP ro s t a t ecancer:re c o g n i s i n gthe signsMen over 50 must take a prostate-specificantigen blood test regularlyMATTHEW FIELDAs we wrote two weeksago, this is the month ofMovember, a fundraisinginitiative started in Australia inorder to raise awareness(“M ove m b e r ’s hairy history”,November 5).On average, South Africanmen die six years earlier thanwomen. Prostate cancer ratesare expected to double withinthe next 15 years while rates oftesticular cancer have alreadydoubled over the last 50.Besides, nearly half a millionmen take their lives every yeardue to unreported or undersupportedmental health issues.Organisations such as theMen’s Foundation of SouthAfrica work to raise awarenessabout these issues and helpcommunities fight back againstconcerns affecting men that areoften ignored or downplayeddue to out-dated patriarchalideals that discourage men fromseeking help.Clinical and radiationoncologist at Cancercare DrJörn Malan says all men shouldhave a prostate-specific antigen(PSA) blood test at least once ayear from the age of 50, andshould test earlier if they have afamily history of prostate cancer.A rectal examination is alsovital.“The PSA blood testmeasures the amount ofprostate-specific antigen, aprotein produced by bothcancerous and non-canceroustissue in the prostate.“The higher the count, themore suspicious it is but oneKNOW THE SIGNS: This Movember, familiarise yourself with the possible signs of prostatecancer and how to keep yourself safe Picture: PIXABAYmust also be aware that one canhave cancer with a normal PSAc o u n t ,” said Malan.This is why rectalexaminations by a qualified GPor urologist are so important.“Symptoms of prostatecancer are often confused for‘normal’, age-related bodilych a n g e s ,” he said.A tumor puts pressure on thebladder pipe which can lead toslower urination, having tourinate often at night, weakerections and impotence.There are ways to reduceyour risk of prostate cancer,such as eating a balanced dietand frequent exercise.For Malan, there are twothings which can really make adifference: “Don’t smoke andsee your GP or urologist forregular screenings.”T: 043 726 831018 Vincent Road, Vincent, East LondonT: 043 704 2200043 722 1222 | 45 St Marks Road, Southernwood, ELwww.cancercare.co.za | border@cancercare.co.zaTewkesbury Quenera Drive, House,22 Quenera St James Park, Road,Beacon Southernwood, Bay,East East London043 722 4210www.drakefo.co.zaT: 043 735 1356 | info@elgc.co.zaKennington Road, Nahoon, East LondonT: 043 735 1400 | kirk@kirklaw.co.zaMOVEMBERTO REMEMBER28 St Marks Road, East London TEL: 0437436680E: toogoodr@xsinet.co.za W: www.rolandtoogood.co.zaGROW A MOSAVE A BRO
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