Prostate cancer: Early detection is key

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will roll out a campaign across government and private organisations to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection. The awareness campaign will begin next month and will continue till the end of the year. Dr Ahmad Kalban, CEO of Primary Healthcare Sector at the DHA, said: “Community awareness is one of our key objectives to ensure we protect our population by educating them about risk factors and the need to screen themselves regularly.  This is particularly important for silent diseases which do not have signs or symptoms and prostate cancer is one such disease.” Dr Hanan Obaid, Head of Community Health Services Programmes, Primary Healthcare Sector, said: “Despite the fact that this form of cancer is the most common in men, we find people have little or no awareness about it and therefore we plan to educate them about the risk factors and the need to screen themselves. “Nearly 217,730 men in the United States were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. In the UAE, 100 cases of prostate cancer were reported in 2011. While, the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, studies have proven that early detection can greatly improve the chances of curing prostate cancer and decrease the death rate caused by this disease.” Dr Kamal Faour, Senior Specialist and Head of Urogenital Clinic in Al Bad’aa Health Center, DHA, said, “It is important to note that early prostate cancer will not always cause symptoms. The chances of developing prostate cancer increases steadily with age and therefore men above the age of 55, those with a history of cancer, those who are obese, use tobacco, should regularly screen themselves.” Dr Faour said more than 70 per cent of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year are over the age of 65.  He also added that since high-fat diets have been linked to prostate cancer, having a diet that is low in saturated fat and red meats and high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods is advisable, especially for those with risk factors of prostate cancer. Dr Obaid said the campaign will provide complete details of risk factors, screening requirements and healthcare professionals will distribute educational materials to community members.