The results of the largest international survey on the topic (1200 respondents) presented at the European Cancer Congress 2015.
Prostate cancer, in its early stages, may not give any symptoms. But as the pathology progresses, some signs are unmistakable. And they should encourage patients to turn to their doctor to better deal with them.
It may be the appearance of severe or unexplained pain, difficulty in walking, climbing stairs. Or insomnia and loss of bladder control. Disorders that, however, are often overlooked. To say it is a recent international survey conducted on 1200 people.
One in two ignores the pain symptom
About half of the men surveyed (47%) are unaware of the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. And three in five (59%) do not always acknowledge that the pain they suffer from could be related to the disease.
This is what emerges from the International Prostate Cancer Symptoms Survey, the largest international survey on the subject conducted so far involving more than 1,200 people, both men with advanced prostate cancer and caregivers.
The survey results highlighted some critical aspects facing men living with the disease in advanced stages and underscore the need to encourage them to talk more about it.
To meet these needs, a worldwide educational initiative has been launched, for now only in English, Men Who Speak Up, aimed at identifying the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer and putting men and their families in a position to open up and talk at the right time and with the right people.
The difficulty of discussing symptoms can also be culturally motivated. More than one in three men (36%) in Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) say they are not comfortable discussing how they feel physically with doctors, compared to only one in 10 men (12%) in the United States. And yet more of these patients have advanced cancer that has spread to the bone (EU 72%, APAC 53%) than their US counterparts (53%).
“The stage of prostate cancer is one of the most important factors in determining treatment options and recovery prospects,” explained Giuseppe Procopio, Head of S.S. Genitourinary Medical Oncology at INT in Milan. “Early detection of symptoms can not only slow the progression of the disease, but also potentially improve patients’ quality of life and have a positive impact on their loved ones.”
Caregivers play a key role in disease management
Family members of patients with advanced prostate cancer can be very affected by the disease, but they are also able to play an important role in improving the course of the neoplasm.
Half of the patients, during the survey, admitted to relying on caregivers to ask the most important questions about prostate cancer. “While clinicians are important in assessing how patients feel, the survey reveals that caregivers also play a key role in managing the disease, especially when it comes to asking difficult questions,” Procopio added.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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