Prostate cancer awareness: Timely screening, modern treatment, and a message of hope

September is prostate cancer awareness month. Every year, this month is observed worldwide to raise awareness about prostate cancer and its treatment. According to the World Health Organisation, around 2,500 men in Bangladesh are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and approximately 1,500 die from it. The risk increases significantly after the age of 50. In Bangladesh too, cases are being detected more frequently. Importantly, when diagnosed at an early stage, prostate cancer is highly controllable, and patients can continue to live normal lives.

Who are at risk?

Men above the age of 50

Those with a family history of prostate cancer

Men of African or Asian descent face relatively higher risk

Obesity, high-fat diet, and sedentary lifestyle

Why screening matters

Prostate cancer often develops silently, showing no symptoms in the early stages, which makes regular screening vital. The two main methods for detecting prostate cancer are the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal examination (DRE). The PSA test measures the level of a protein that may be elevated in the presence of cancer, while the DRE allows the doctor to physically check for irregularities in the prostate.

In the UK, men should start screening at age 50 if they are at average risk. However, those with a family history of prostate cancer should begin screening earlier, typically at age 45, to ensure early detection. Early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment, making these screenings a crucial part of men's health from middle age onwards.

Benefit of screening: It allows cancer to be detected at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.

Signs and symptoms

Early stage – often no symptoms, but may include:

Difficulty starting urination

Weak urine stream

Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night

Interrupted urination

Dribbling after urination

Advanced stage – symptoms may include:

Blood in urine

Blood in semen

Pain or burning during urination

Pain in the pelvis or lower back

Bone pain (if cancer spreads to bones)

Breathing difficulty (if spread to lungs)

Weight loss, loss of appetite

Unusual fatigue or weakness

How prostate cancer is diagnosed

Diagnosis usually involves several steps:

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): the doctor examines the prostate through the rectum.

PSA blood test: measures PSA level in blood

Imaging tests: such as transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), MRI, or PSMA PET-CT

Prostate biopsy: TRUS or MRI-guided tissue sampling, which confirms the diagnosis

Advances in treatment

Prostate cancer treatment today is no longer limited to surgery or long-term radiotherapy.

Robotic surgery

High precision, minimally invasive

Faster recovery, fewer complications

Early return to normal life

SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy)

Completed in just a few sessions (usually 5)

Delivers radiation precisely to cancer cells

Shorter duration, fewer side effects, excellent outcomes

Hormone therapy and modern chemotherapy

Effective options for patients with advanced disease

World-class treatment now in Bangladesh

Many still believe advanced treatment requires going abroad. In reality, leading cancer centres in Bangladesh now offer modern SBRT radiotherapy, advanced chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Patients can receive world-class care without leaving the country.

September, observed globally as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, reminds us all:

Stay aware and undergo regular health checkups

Begin treatment promptly if detected early

Remain hopeful—because modern prostate cancer treatment is already available here in Bangladesh.

The writer is a consultant at the Square Cancer Centre.