Prostate cancer is among the leading oncological diagnoses in men in recent years. It develops slowly, in the beginning � without pronounced symptoms, and this, as a rule, delays diagnosis and therapy. Therefore, prostate carcinoma is one of the oncological diseases in which regular preventive examinations and increased attention to early symptoms are decisive for the development and outcome of the disease. The prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system, similar in shape and size to a chestnut. It is located below the bladder and touches the rectum – the end of the large intestine. Its role is to help expel sperm, but it is also involved in the transfer of urine. First symptoms of prostate cancer Prostate cancer can develop for a long time without any symptoms or have early symptoms that are not specific. These include: Changes in urine and urination; Difficulty at the beginning and at the end of urination; Weak or intermittent stream when urinating; More frequent urination, including at night; Blood in the urine or semen; Burning when urinating or ejaculating; Pain or discomfort in the prostate area. With similar symptoms, consultation with a urologist should not be delayed. Risk Factors and Possible Causes The exact causes of prostate cancer are not yet understood, but there are risk factors that are known to help the process of normal cells becoming cancerous. One factor is hereditary. Changes in DNA cause uncontrolled growth and division of cells – this is the oncological process. These mutations can be inherited in the family, but they can also be acquired. In about 10% of cases, prostate cancer is associated with a family history. Mutations that are acquired in the course of life can happen randomly or be influenced by specific external causes such as unhealthy diet, obesity, inflammatory and sexually transmitted diseases of the prostate, hormonal level, etc. Male sex hormones, such as testosterone, accelerate the growth of prostate cells, and higher levels of these in the blood have been suggested as a potential risk factor for prostate cancer. The other risk factor is age, as diagnosis becomes more common after the 60s. However, nowadays there is a tendency to “rejuvenate” prostate cancer. That is why men after 45-50 should pay attention to any symptoms, even those they consider insignificant. The importance of early detection of cancer The earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the chance of long-term good results from treatment. Prostate cancer detected at an early stage (when it affects only the prostate gland) is considered curable in most cases. That is why primary screening is very important, but due to the lack of such programs in our country, it is a personal task of every man after 50. Even in the absence of symptoms, every man should have preventive examinations with tests. The tests needed to confirm or reject the diagnosis are:PSA (prostate-specific antigen) � a blood test that measures the amount of protein produced by the prostate; Ultrasound examination (transrectal echography) � the size and anatomy of the gland are assessed; Rectal examination – examination by manual palpation to assess the size, shape, surface of the prostate; Biopsy – examination of a sample of the tissue, which is undertaken when cancer is suspected, after the previous examinations and tests have been carried out. This examination is mandatory for a certain diagnosis; Nuclear magnetic resonance � a highly sensitive imaging method that provides certainty of diagnosis together with the biopsy; Computed tomography – the imaging method proves the presence of a tumor, as well as how far it has progressed and whether it covers neighboring organs and tissues. Other diseases that can give similar symptoms Early symptoms of prostate carcinoma are also characteristic of other diseases of the gland, so they must be excluded. Most often, these are chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), prostate adenoma, stones in the prostate (concrements), etc. What to do if you notice symptoms? An immediate consultation with a urologist is required, who will conduct an examination and prescribe tests. It is recommended that after the age of 50, men start doing PSA tests – always in the context of a consultation with a specialist. It is wrong to wait for the appearance of symptoms to do a preventive examination and tests. Prostate-specific antigen is a mandatory test in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but it should be borne in mind that its level can also increase for other reasons – for example, prostatitis. Therefore, a doctor should evaluate the results. Prevention of prostate cancer As with other oncological and other socially significant diseases, the prevention of prostate cancer requires a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, sufficient physical activity, quitting smoking and other harmful habits. Overweight and obesity are also among the possible factors for prostate cancer, so the fight against weight is also essential. Another important factor in prevention is prevention, timely diagnosis and proper treatment of inflammatory diseases of the male reproductive system. Indiscriminate sexual contact, poor hygiene, lack of protection against sexually transmitted infections are a significant factor in chronic inflammation of the prostate. A balanced diet should be aimed at counteracting chronic inflammation, which is the basis of the leading socially significant diseases – oncological and cardiovascular diseases. This means that fresh fruits and vegetables, pulses, fish, whole grains should prevail in the daily diet at the expense of red meats and industrially processed products rich in salt, sugar, fats, preservatives, dyes, etc.Alcohol is not a friend of the prevention of cancer and other modern diseases with the greatest social and economic effect. It is necessary that the diet includes products that supply the body with antioxidants – compounds that counteract free radicals. “Among the most important antioxidants for prostate health are vitamins C and E and the mineral selenium,” says Natura Therapy nutritionist Sashko Drvoshanski. It is good to take them through natural products, but faster saturation is obtained by taking nutritional supplements. Indispensable helpers against cancer are the cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, which should be present at least 3 times a week in the menu. The natural “colorant” lycopene, which gives the red color of tomatoes and watermelons, the deep orange color of carrots and apricots, and the yellow color of well-ripened plums, has a proven effect in the prevention of oncological diseases. Tomatoes are the richest in lycopene, and it is better absorbed after their culinary processing.