Urologist advises men to go for prostate cancer screening

A Consultant Urologist with University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr Ademola Popoola has advised men to go for early screening to prevent prostate cancer.

Popoola, who teaches at the Department of Surgery of the university, gave the advice in an interview with our Correspondent on Wednesday in Ilorin.

According to him, prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate gland, which is an accessory sexual organ that is only present in males.

The expert said that with prostate cancer, it is not just limited to the increase in size of the prostate gland but there are also some abnormalities in the cells.

He added that “the black race is highly predisposed to prostate cancer, so, it has to do with genetic issues: as men get older, their risk of having prostate cancer increases.

“Diet and environmental factors are important determinants of prostate cancer.

“People who eat less of fats and more of fruits and vegetables are at lower risk than those who consume red meat and people who avoid sedentary lifestyle and engage in exercises have lower risk.”

Popoola, therefore, advised men who are 45 years and above to go for screening, noting that “by the time a man reaches 45 years, it is advisable to go for screening whether he has symptoms or not.”

He also advised those with family history of cancer to go for screening much earlier.

The expert listed the symptoms of prostate cancer to include change in normal urinary pattern, back pain, weakness, and pain during ejaculation.