2023-11-16 22:04:32
Only 1% of prostate cancer cases in Canada affect men under the age of 50, but unfortunately in this group, the disease is usually more virulent.
• Read also: Prostate cancer survivor: “Go get tested, guys,” implores Régis Labeaume
According to projections from the Canadian Cancer Society, 25,900 new cases of prostate cancer will occur in 2023 in the country and 4,900 men will die from it.
“Only 300 cases will affect men under 50,” says the Dr Paul Perrotte, urologist at CHUM.
Died at the age of 47, Karl Tremblay of the Cowboys fringants is therefore not the typical case of victim of this disease.
“Generally speaking, younger people are affected more virulently. Prostate cancer has few symptoms. When it is detected in a young person, it is because it is in an advanced stage,” explains Dr.r Perrotte.
Detection
The doctor recommends screening starting at age 50, “or at age 40 if there is a history in the family.”
Africans and their descendants (African-American or from the Caribbean) are a little more at risk and should also be screened earlier, says the specialist.
Dr. Paul Perrotte.
PHOTO MARTIN ALARIE / JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
“Prostate cancer is a silent killer. But it can also be cured very well. The survival rate following five years is 91%, which is very good,” underlines the doctor.
It is usually men over 65 who suffer from it. And if 20% die from it, many men will die of another cause even if they have prostate cancer.
The most common symptom is difficulty urinating. Two screening methods are used, the blood test to carry out the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam.
The treatment will depend on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient and their choice.
“In cases caught very early, active observation may be the best solution,” since the cancer grows slowly,” explains Mr. Perrotte.
The example of women
For the urologist, we only have to wait for misfortune to strike well-known people like Karl Tremblay for prostate cancer to become a subject of discussion.
“It’s important to talk regarding it, not just when there’s important news. The last time it was talked regarding this much was when Jack Layton died [qui était le chef du NPD]. It must be detected early,” he says.
“We must also take inspiration from women and the movement around breast cancer which has existed for 50 years and support research,” concludes Paul Perrotte.
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