It is estimated that in Puerto Rico 1 in 8 men will suffer from this disease.
By: Luisa Ochoa
Despite the fact that new tools have currently been developed to diagnose the cancer of prostateearly detection of this disease continues to be essential to reduce its mortality in the population, since this is a type of cancer who has no symptoms.
This was explained by Dr. Alvin López Pujals, urologist and treasurer of Puerto Rico Urological Association (PRUA) in an exclusive interview for the Journal of Medicine and Public Health on the updated management of cancer of prostate.
“Most of the patients cancer of prostate They won’t have symptoms. He cancer of prostate It will not show symptoms until it is too late, but there are some symptoms that can be seen, such as prostatic obstruction, difficulty urinating, and bone pain,” he said.
In Puerto Rico he cancer of prostate is the type of cancer with higher incidence and mortality in the male population and is generally diagnosed at advanced ages, since it is a disease that increases the risk of appearing with age.
“The prostate it starts growing at age 30 and doesn’t stop growing until you die. As the prostate As it grows, it generates mutations, which is why there is a higher incidence of cancer of prostate at an older age”, explained Dr. López.
Impact of prostate cancer in Puerto Ricans
In addition, he also mentioned the prevalence of this disease in Puerto Rico, which is one of the highest in the world. “In the entire world it is the nation number 7 with the highest incidence of cancer of prostatebeing such a small country”.
Several studies have found that the Anglo-Saxon population of the United States, that is, whites and Europeans, have an estimated incidence of 1 in 11 people with cancer of prostate.
On the other hand, the risk increases in the African-American and Hispanic populations, who have 1 in 8 people at risk of suffering from the disease.
However, in Puerto Ricans the number is even more limited, which increases the risk of cancer of prostatebecause 1 in 6 can develop it.
“Although it can happen sporadically, there is a genetic predisposition that is the most important risk factor. If you have grandparents, father or siblings with cancer of prostateThere are risk factors there,” he said.
Key tests to detect it
To detect it, it is essential to have tools such as the PSA test or prostate specific antigen (blood) and a rectal examination to palpate for any abnormality in the prostate. These tests are indicated as screening for Puerto Ricans 40 years of age and older.
In addition, there are also other studies that allow evaluating other areas of the prostate and find out if patients are likely to develop the tumor.
“Apart from the PSA and the rectal exam, other studies are carried out, such as the transrectal sonogram that helps guide the biopsy in the different areas of the prostate”, explained the urologist.
“Today, a multiparametric hemorrhoid is also performed, a radiology study to evaluate areas of the prostate that we cannot palpate with the rectal exam, this exam is more beneficial for detecting more aggressive cancers”, the doctor highlighted.
It is worth mentioning that to detect this condition it is essential to perform a biopsy that allows to evaluate if the presence of the cancerin addition to classifying the tumor according to the Gleason scale.
Gleason scale
According to MedlinePlus, the Gleason scoring system refers to how cancer cells look in your prostate and how likely is it that cancer advance and spread. A lower Gleason score means that the cancer It is slow growing and non-aggressive.
“Once the diagnosis is made, the first thing that is done are studies to find out the risk of metastasis. Most cancers of prostate they spread to lymph nodes in the pelvic area,” said Dr. Alvin.
The specialist was also emphatic in the importance of carrying out the screening tests of the cancer of prostate since the age of 40 and visiting the urologist frequently to detect this disease in time, which has a mortality rate of 13%.
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