More men falling to prostate cancer, but few go for check-ups

Dr Anselmy Opiyo of Kenyatta National Hospital at the facility’s cancer treament centre. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

By ALLY JAMAH

A significant number of people who are at great risk of cancer remain largely unaware of this fact and how to save themselves from its cruel grip.

Among them are men, a good number of whom are falling to prostate cancer, which is one of the most common forms of the disease striking those above 50-years.

Latest statistics from the Ministry of Health reaffirm that prostate cancer is the most common form of the disease afflicting men, besides Kaposi’s sarcoma, a HIV-associated skin cancer.

It affects thousands of people every year, causing them a life of unnecessary physical, emotional and financial suffering, while robbing many others of their lives. The statistics show that at least 1,000 new cases are reported each year, while deaths stand at around 850 annually.

“A non-smoking man is more likely to develop prostate cancer than colon or bladder cancer, melanoma, lymphoma and kidney cancers combined.  In fact, a man is 35 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer,” says the ministry.

This type of cancer ruthlessly attacks the prostate gland that usually produces much of the fluids contained in male semen, which plays a critical role in human reproduction.

At risk

If it is not diagnosed early, it spreads rapidly to the other parts of the body, eventually leading to death.

Dr Ahmed Kalebi of Pathologists Lancet Kenya, the largest private medical laboratory network in the country, which conducts numerous studies on prostate cancer, says that many Kenyans who are at risk are still unaware about the disease, how to spot early symptoms and the urgency of seeking medical intervention when the disease is “still an infant”.

“Our lab experience over the years confirms that a good number of people come to us when the cancer has advanced. It is unfortunate that many Kenyans are still not sufficiently aware of the disease,” he says.

He adds, “But at least when former cabinet minister and current Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o was diagnosed with the disease, it helped boost awareness among men. Since then, people have come forward to be tested especially through wellness checks funded by insurance companies and corporates. I hope that trend of awareness will continue to grow in future.”

Dr Kalebi, who is a consultant pathologist, wants Kenyans who are above 50-years to know that they stand the risk of developing prostate cancer. He says in some cases, men in their 40s may also develop the disease.

He is also keen to dismantle the perception that it is a disease that only affects people in industrialised countries.

Burning sensation

“We are not asking every Kenyan man above 50-years to go out and take a prostate cancer test. People should be familiar with the symptoms of the disease, and when they notice such symptoms, they should go for tests without delay to protect themselves,” he advises.

According to Dr Kassim Abdallah, a urologist based in Mombasa, among the common symptoms of the disease include high frequency of urination or a burning sensation while doing so.

Urine flow for those who may have prostate cancer is often poor and unsteady as a result of the enlarged prostate gland.

At advanced stages, blood or pus may be noted in the urine. He notes that many Kenyans often ignore such symptoms, hoping they will go away somehow, without realising how they are putting their lives on the line. Others avoid testing for fear of being found with the disease.

“Any patient with such symptoms should be examined by a medical doctor and if there is suspicion for prostate cancer or predisposition to the disease, they should have further tests done. Ignoring the symptoms amounts to postponing trouble,” he advises.  Dr Ruchika Kohli, a clinical pathologist based in Nairobi says that those with a family history of the disease should be extra cautious since their likelihood of suffering from cancer is much higher.

She explains that to check for prostate cancer, blood is tested for the presence of a prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is usually secreted by prostate cancer cells.

“But having high PSA doesnt mean straight away that one has cancer. It may be that the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed due to other reasons. Where necessary, a tiny piece of the prostate tissue is removed and taken to the laboratory to confirm if it actually has cancer or not. This is technically called a prostate biopsy,” she says.

However, access to specialised testing for prostate cancer is not readily available to Kenyans in government health facilities. Most district hospitals and low-level public institutions don’t have specialised equipment and capacity to conduct the test except the major health institutions like Kenyatta National Hospital.

This means that many people who may need the test may not access it as private hospitals charge higher fees.

However, laboratories that do not have the capacity to conduct the test can enter into referral agreements with those which have the power to ease access to the procedure through public-private-partnerships.

According to Medical Practitoners and Dentists Board fee guidelines for this year, prostate cancer tests average between Sh2,100 and Sh3,600.

The test is available at level E and F specialised laboratories certified by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians Board.