By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Dr. Lawal Majolagbe, Medical expert and Surgeon Lieutenant with the Nigerian Navy, has called for regular prostate cancer screening among men above 40 years, warning that the disease often develops without early symptoms.
According to him, prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men globally, stressing that early detection through routine screening significantly improves survival chances.
He explained that many people wrongly assume every tumour is cancerous, clarifying that tumours are simply abnormal tissue growths which may either be benign or malignant.
“Benign tumours such as lipomas and fibroids remain confined to one part of the body, while malignant tumours spread to other organs through a process known as metastasis,” he said.
The medical expert noted that cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths globally every year, representing about one in every six deaths worldwide.
He added that prostate, lung, and colon cancers are among the most common cancers affecting men, while breast, lung, and colon cancers are prevalent among women.
Speaking on cancer in Nigeria, Dr. Majolagbe stated that several cancer cases are linked to vaccine-preventable infections such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
He identified major risk factors for prostate cancer to include age, family history, obesity, high-fat diets, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, and exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, aflatoxin, tobacco, and ionising radiation.
Dr. Majolagbe also noted that studies suggest men with low ejaculation frequency may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, although he stressed that the findings are not absolute.
According to him, prostate cancer is more common among Black men and remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men globally.
“A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every two minutes, while one person dies from the disease every 15 minutes,” he said.
The expert explained that early-stage prostate cancer usually presents no symptoms, making regular screening extremely important.
He listed symptoms associated with advanced cases to include difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, frequent urination at night, blood in urine or semen, painful urination or ejaculation, and persistent pain around the lower back, hips, or pelvis.
However, he cautioned that similar symptoms may also result from benign prostate enlargement or prostate inflammation.
Dr. Majolagbe recommended annual prostate screening for men above 40 years, particularly through the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and abdomino-pelvic ultrasound scans used to assess the prostate.
He further advised men to adopt healthier lifestyles by maintaining healthy body weight, exercising regularly, consuming vegetables rich in beta-carotene and Vitamin E, reducing red meat and alcohol intake, avoiding smoking, and limiting exposure to radiation and passive smoking.
According to him, early detection of prostate cancer gives patients almost a 100 per cent survival chance, while advanced or metastatic cases have significantly lower survival rates.
Treatment options, he said, include prostatectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
The health expert concluded by urging sustained public awareness campaigns, regular screening for men aged 40 and above, and lifestyle modifications aimed at reducing cancer risks.
“Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. Thus, annual screening is important for men above 40 years,” he stated.
He advised men to consult medical professionals regularly and seek immediate medical attention whenever they notice unusual urinary or pelvic symptoms.
