Every day, 13 men die from prostate cancer. Almost 20,000 cases of this cancer and over a thousand testicular cancers are detected in Poland every year. Most of them are in an advanced stage. This can be avoided. Get tested!

INSANE PODIUM

Among all cancers, prostate cancer takes the inglorious second place, right after lung cancer. When it comes to diseases that affect the genitourinary organs, it is the undisputed winner. It kills 13 people a day. Almost twice as many, 30, die from all cancers of the genitourinary system. The risk of getting sick increases after the age of 50. Those who are under 40 are more often attacked by testicular cancer, and penile cancer usually occurs in men around the age of 60. The statistics are dramatic and can be frightening, but as specialists say, fear should not be the reason for seeking medical attention, but concern for one's own health. Cancer detected early does not lead to death.

 – Lately we have been talking about prostate cancer as a chronic disease. Why? Because you can die from prostate cancer, you don't have to die from it. Let's just treat ourselves like a car, we have our car serviced once a year. We, as guys who love cars, should do the same. We get a referral from our family doctor. He sends us for a few tests, including a PSA urine test, and we proceed with that to further diagnostics -  says the urologist Dr. Waldemar Bonczar. Prostate cancer develops slowly. It can take up to a dozen years from the first cancer cells to the appearance of symptoms. That is why regular tests are essential. Measuring the PSA level is a basic test that allows for early detection of prostate cancer.

WITH THESE SYMPTOMS ON CITO

As a preventive measure, after the age of 40, it is recommended to visit a urologist once a year. Unless there are worrying symptoms, then the family doctor issues a referral for a cito. There are several worrying symptoms that may indicate prostate cancer. 

– Blood in the urine is something that you have to come immediately! Difficulty in urinating, urgent urges, leaking of this urine should also be an alarming signal. And such forced micturition, it is already known that age-related issues with prostate enlargement are starting - he enumerates Dr. Bonczar. Other worrying symptoms include: pain and burning during urination, urine retention in the bladder, blood in the semen, erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, pain in the perineum and behind the pubic symphysis, swelling of the genitals, lower abdominal pain. Looking at the statistics, it is also worth mentioning testicular cancer. Unlike prostate cancer, testicular cancer is a disease of young men, aged 15 to 40. Therefore, prevention is essential, but this is where the problem often appears. Shame and fear.

TO THE UROLOGIST WITHOUT SHAME

Although men are becoming more aware, it is still the embarrassment towards a urologist that most often stops them from visiting. Specialists say that there are two proven ways to overcome the embarrassment towards a urologist: arming yourself with solid knowledge about what the examination looks like, and reporting to a doctor you can trust.

– It is very important to come to a urologist who is an open person. A person who will initially defuse the atmosphere, talk to the patient for a while, and not tell him three words, please turn around, cut him off and the job is done. I always tell every patient, first let's talk, do an ultrasound, and then a specific test, which patients are most often afraid of because it is still stigmatized – emphasizes Dr. Bonczar. 

NOT THAT SCARY UROLOGIST

The first stage of the visit is the already mentioned conversation with the patient, during which the doctor asks about various types of ailments. The second stage is usually an ultrasound examination. Finally, a rectal examination is performed, which involves the doctor inserting a finger in a rubber glove into the patient's rectum. The doctor examines the area of the anus in this way and checks for abrasions, cracks, varicose veins, and changes of a cancerous origin.

 – As for the examination, everyone says that it is overrated, that they get up from the couch later and say that they scared me unnecessarily. I thought it would be worse. I thought it would be different. And this is first a general ultrasound examination, and then the cherry on the cake, i.e. a rectal examination, with a finger through the rectum. And the patients tolerate it well, just like men. One or two will smile, a third will say nothing, and another will shed a tear and say: doctor, I will see you in a year, because it's nothing to be afraid of – shares the doctor. Shame and fear of the urologist will certainly reduce the good opinions about the specialist we want to go to. A well-performed examination should be gentle, efficient and quick.

It is worth adding that although there is still fear of visiting a urologist, the topics of other tests are slowly ceasing to be taboo. – This happens in men over fifty and older. Resistance occurs in younger guys, over forty. Younger guys, being younger, always joke. And have you been to a urologist? And you were fine, and you left smiling, and you shed a tear? You brought a rose – laughs Dr. Bonczar. However, he notices a positive change: more and more young men, around 30 years old, are coming for the test. 

Interview with Dr. Waldemar Bonczar on Wednesday, February 8 in the medical podcast WHAT DOES YOUR DOCTOR SAY?: