Prostate Cancer Awareness Day 2022

The Israel Cancer Association marks

Prostate Cancer Awareness Day

September 15 2022

"I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 50," says Ohad (alias), member of the Israel Cancer Association's prostate cancer support group. I was diagnosed 18 years ago. Because I have a genetic predisposition in my family background, I was under close check up and the cancer was detected by my family physician during a palpation examination. I underwent surgery to remove the prostate, which may cause erectile dysfunction, which luckily I did not experience, and urinary incontinence, an unpleasant, severe condition most men suffer from, usually discreetly. The ICA's support group helps us to cope with the challenges and fears together, which makes it easier to handle them, especially the loneliness."

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Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer disease among men in Israel, mainly among older men. Prostate cancer incidences are rarely diagnosed before the age of 50. While half of the older men suffer incontinence problems, only 1 out of 9 older men will develop prostate cancer. However, some of the symptoms are similar in both conditions, therefore it is important to get checked.    

Moshe Bar-Haim, ICA CEO:

"Prostate cancer is most prevalent cancer among men in Israel. It is mainly common among older men. The Ministry of Health's directives as to early detection of prostate cancer do not include a recommended screening test for prostate cancer detection, since it has not yet been proven as the most efficient way to reduce prostate cancer morbidity.

According to various health organizations, among them The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the recommendation for men age 70 and up, who are at high risk (family history of a father, brother or son who developed prostate cancer), is to consult the physician regarding the advantages and disadvantages of conducting early detection tests for prostate cancer."

The ICA Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer:

Studies have shown that adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing different types of cancer, including prostate cancer. The ICA recommends the male population to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer in the following ways:

• Adopt a balanced diet: it is recommended to eat a lot of vegetables and fruit as well as high fiber foods, and avoid eating high calorie foods rich in sugar and fat. Minimize the consumption of processed, smoked, fried, salted and canned foods. Reduce red meat consumption and choose water over sweet drinks.
  
  
• Consider regular consumption of tomatoes: there is scientific evidence that high and regular consumption of tomatoes, fresh or cooked, such as Shakshuka sauce, etc., may help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Therefore, one should consider a regular intake of tomatoes as part of the daily diet.
  
  
• Keep a balanced body weight and avoid weight gain: it is best to maintain a proper BMI of 18.5 to 24.9.
  
  
• Perform regular physical exercise: it is recommended to perform at least 30 minutes of rigorous physical exercise a day, to raise one's heartbeat, such as: brisk walking, running, biking, swimming, etc.
  
  
• Avoid smoking completely: refraining from smoking cigarettes in particular and all tobacco and nicotine products in general, including hookah and e-cigarettes, can reduce the risk of morbidity of different cancer diseases. It was found that the risk of prostate cancer mortality is higher among smokers.
  
  The ICA Recommendations for Symptoms Requiring Medical Attention:
  
  

The Ministry of Health and ICA guidelines for early detection of prostate cancer do not include an all-encompassing recommendation for screening. However, the ICA does recommend paying attention to symptoms requiring medical attention. The main symptom requiring examination is difficulty in urinating. In addition, one or more of the following symptoms may occur:

• Difficulty initiating urination.
• Weak urine flow.
• Urination takes longer, or stops and resumes intermittently.
• Leaking after urination is complete.
• A need to urinate more frequently during the day, though the overall amount is small.
• A sudden need to urinate at night, unlike before.
• Feeling like urination is incomplete, though no further urine is excreted.
• An urgent need to urinate at any given time, with hardly being able to control it.
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
• Blood in urine.
• Blood in semen.
• Decline in sexual functioning.
  
  
  If any of the above symptoms appear, do not take it as normal signs of aging, but consult an urologist, for further inquiry. In most cases, it is not cancer, but proper, timely detection will allow for suitable treatment.
  
  As part of the Israel Cancer Association's activities and services for prostate cancer patients, they can receive sexual consultation and participate in support groups. For further detail, answers to questions and to receive information material, you may contact the ICA's hotline ('Telemeida') at 1-800-599-995 or visit our website: www.cancer.org.il