Dr Teh shares a point on prostrate cancer.
KUCHING: About 50 per cent of prostate cancer patients who seek consultation at health clinics were already diagnosed at Stage Four level and are in their late 60s.
According to Sarawak General Hospital Head and Senior Consultant Urologist (Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery) Dr Teh Guan Chou, only 21 per cent of the patients suffering from prostate diseases consulted their doctors and received treatment while the rest suffered in silence.
“They should be aware and alarmed at some of the warning signs if they have (prostate cancer),” he said during a press briefing held in conjunction with ‘Prostate Awareness Campaign’ held at Sarawak General Hospital yesterday.
Early signs of prostate cancer can only be detected with prostate biopsy after undergoing prostate specific antigen (PSA) test or after prostate surgery while late signs of prostate cancer include blood in urine, bone pain, paralysis of legs, bowel obstruction and renal failure. Dr Teh stressed that early detection is crucial to maximise the chance of better outcome.
He mentioned the factors contributing to risk of prostate cancer are age, race, family history and genetics.
“It’s the second most common cancer diagnosed and it’s the fifth most lethal cancer among men,” he said.
The doctor pointed out that Asian countries are considered to be more fortunate as the incidence of prostate cancer among men is lower compared with developed countries in the West.
Besides prostate cancer, Dr Teh also highlighted other prostate related diseases such as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis.
Some symptoms of those suffering from BPH disease include a long wait before the person is able to urinate, a sense of incomplete urination and difficulties in postponing urinating.
BSH is commonly found among patients aged 40 years and above, affecting their quality of life if early treatment is not administered.
“Most of the patients with symptoms of BPH can be managed with medication or lifestyle modification and sometimes surgery maybe required,” he added.