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Are you too shy to get screened for prostate cancer?

Dubai - The symptoms of prostate cancer include lower back or thigh pain, blood in urine or semen, painful urination and impotence.

Men in the region are too timid to undergo the screening test for prostate cancer, according to health experts.
While prostate cancer has a higher chance of being cured when it is diagnosed early, many patients in the UAE visit their doctor with late-stage symptoms. As part of its participation in the Friends of Cancer Patients' (FoCP) Shanab campaign, Astellas aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer - particularly the advantage of early detection.
Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, director-general of FoCP, said: "Shanab initiative stresses on the importance of early detection of prostate and testicular cancer, as it is highly curable if diagnosed at an early stage ... We believe it is vital that the people of the UAE are conscious of the importance of regular checkups and on visiting the doctor immediately if they spot any abnormalities."
Dr Al Madhi said the symptoms of prostate cancer include lower back or thigh pain, blood in urine or semen, painful urination and impotence.
Dr Farhad Kheradmand Janahi, consultant urological surgeon at Mediclinic City Hospital, said: "Most patients with prostate cancer are asymptomatic. The advanced cases may present with worsening of lower urinary tract symptoms, bone pain or weight loss."
Dr Janahi added that it is very unusual and uncommon for a man to get prostate cancer below the age of 50.
Currently, there are two main methods of screening prostate cancer, one is a blood test called PSA and the other is the clinical examination, which is a digital rectal examination. He also emphasised that not all prostate cancer patients need treatment.
He referred to the American Urological Association guidelines that only men between the age of 55 to 69 years should test for prostate cancer, while those with family history of the disease need to test it earlier. Deciding to undergo testing is a decision that should be made with one's doctor after a full discussion.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

Watch out for these symptoms
> Lower back or thigh pain
> Blood in urine or semen
> Painful urination
> Impotence