Prostate Cancer: 14 Men Die Daily In Nigeria

Each day, Nigeria loses 14 men to prostate cancer, a disease that is said to be on the increase world wide and this is alarming according to the National Cancer Prevention Programme, NCPP.

The NCPP says the disease is seriously spreading in Nigeria and that hundreds of the country’s citizens are being flown abroad for medical assistance. The cancer awareness organisation, which is seeking N555 million to set up centres in the 36 states of the country, is just one of those who have recently drawn attention of the people to the ravaging effect of the disease in the country.

A medical expert and consultant urologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Celsus Undie, recently raised alarm over the increase in the disease. According to him, prostate cancer is the commonest cancer affecting men in the country.

The medical expert said that men had not been fully aware of the importance of examining the prostate gland because it served as a potent site for cancer of the prostate.

“The prostate gland is a very potent site for cancer. Right now, prostate cancer is the commonest cancer affecting men. Some men at 60 years old never had a prostate examination even once in their lives, some at 70 years. They are carrying prostate cancer but they don’t know.

“All men that are more than 45 years should ensure that they see their urologist at least once every year to examine the prostrate and be sure that there is no cancer. “When cancer just starts, when it is early confined to the prostate gland, you can actually get it completely cured, because if you take out the prostate at that time, you can take out the entire cancer and the man can live his normal life,” he said. Undie said that the exact causes of prostate cancer had been unknown, adding that there were issues like age, heredity and diet, which could act as contributory factors.

“The ageing process produces biochemical reactions that contribute to abnormal cell growth. Also, if a man’s father or an older sibling has had prostate cancer, he is at increased risk,” he said.

He stated that there was the need for men to have a good eating habit, especially eating foods that are low in fat, while advising that foods to be consumed should be high in fruits and vegetables.

He explained that the symptoms of prostate cancer included frequent urination, blood in the urine, painful or difficult urination, and blood in the urine or semen, among others. Undie advised men who had any of these symptoms to visit a physician to ascertain the problem, while stating that early detection could make all the difference

Also some United States physicians expressed concern over the increasing rate of the cancer among Nigerian men.

One report claims that 11 per cent of all male cancers in Nigeria occur in Nigerian men, a rate similar to those of American black men indicating a similarity in genetic disposition.

Part of the ways to prevent the disease is ensure that men who are over the age of 40 go for regular screening for the disease. Prostate cancer cells can also be inhibited by up to 30 per cent with a low-fat, high-fiber diet combined with regular exercise.

The NCPP, as part of the plans to reduce the incident in the country, is to set up N15 million centre in each state of the federation and the event, according to a statement from the organisation, will take place on Tuesday, 28 June, 2011 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

—Eromosele Ebhomele/Agency Report