Men's Health Month: Why prostate cancer screening is crucial for your health
This Men's Health Month, let's challenge ourselves and those around us to prioritise our health.
Prostate cancer isn't just a scary headline or another item on a doctor's checklist - it's a very real, very present risk that could impact you or the men you care about. Every year, thousands of South African men are diagnosed, and the reality is stark: one in eight men here will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.
When last did you have an honest conversation about your health? If you're like most South African men, the answer is: not often enough.
What should you look for?
According to Dr Hannes Brummer and Dr Johan Coetzee, experienced urologists at Netcare Greenacres Hospital, 'Most men don't feel any symptoms until prostate cancer has already progressed. That's why regular screening is so important.' It's easy to put off check-ups, especially when you feel fine. But here's the catch, early-stage prostate cancer almost never shouts for attention. By the time you notice obvious changes, it might already be serious.
That's not just a statistic; it's a neighbour, a brother, a father, a friend. To be honest, many of us would rather ignore the quiet warnings our bodies send. But prostate cancer is sneaky - it's called the silent threat for a reason.
In South Africa, though, many men only seek help when symptoms are advanced often too late for simple treatments.
For most men, early prostate cancer doesn't come with a flashing warning sign. However, changes in urination may indicate other underlying issues Here's what to keep an eye out for, even though these are often caused by less serious issues, like an enlarged prostate (a very common, non-cancerous problem):
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
A weak urine stream
Feeling like your bladder isn't emptying fully
Dribbling after urination
Needing to go more often, especially at night
An urgent need to urinate, sometimes with leaks
These symptoms are more often linked to benign conditions, but they're still worth a chat with your GP. The real game changer is early detection. Catching prostate cancer early can save lives. Thanks to advances like the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test, available at most South African GPs, early detection is more possible than ever.
Coetzee explains, 'The PSA test is a simple blood test that can pick up signs of trouble before symptoms appear. This gives men a much better chance of treating the cancer while it's still highly curable.'
Globally, research shows that countries with higher rates of screening have lower death rates from prostate cancer.
In South Africa, though, many men only seek help when symptoms are advanced - often too late for simple treatments.
When things get serious
If prostate cancer grows outside the prostate or spreads to other parts of the body, the symptoms can become more obvious and serious. These can include:
Persistent back, hip or pelvic pain
Blood in urine or semen
Problems getting or keeping an erection
Unexplained weight loss.
It's critical to know that these symptoms can also be caused by other health issues, but ignoring them is never the answer.
There's a stigma
Many of us grew up believing men should just "tough it out" and not talk about personal health. But what's tougher: facing a quick, routine check-up or battling a disease that could have been prevented?
Brummer puts it simply: 'Making the time now and every year could help save your life.'
This Men's Health Month, let's challenge ourselves and those around us to prioritise our health. Book that screening. Start the conversation. Ask questions. It's not just about you; it's about being there for your family, your community, your future.
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She also highlighted that harm is not equal, and that the 'harm is harm' mantra has no place in public health policy. 'It is quite clear that we are worlds apart in terms of agreeing on the science. We need to find a middle ground, and in finding a middle ground, Parliament ought to commission a credible independent science review to balance the available evidence for policymaking purposes.' Gcoyi said that VPASA itself is also concerned about youth access to vaping, and that had they not been, then they wouldn't have started initiatives as early as 2021. Gcoyi informed the committee that there is a lot of proxy buying occurring, and that she witnessed it herself, how adults are buying on behalf of a minor. 'We've spent a lot of time developing the guidelines, and you can take some of the guidelines. We need stronger controls and penalties for people who do not abide by the guidelines. 'We are willing to subject ourselves, as an industry, to a framework that is controlled, predictable, and that will ensure that we safeguard young people, but also ensure that the people who need these vaping products have access to them.' Gcoyi also wanted to dispel the notion that banning disposable vapes will eradicate youth vaping. 'It is without any basis in fact. Disposables are important for the South African market, particularly at this point… 'I think an important part I want to highlight is that flavours are not the root cause of youth vaping… Evidence supports a regulated flavour-inclusive vaping market.' Founder and Director of Quit Like Sweden (QLS), Suely Castro, an organisation which seeks to tout alternatives to traditional tobacco control and highlight methods that support adult smokers in transitioning to safer alternatives, has also weighed in. Castro said the UCT study findings highlight an important issue that requires urgent and nuanced regulatory attention, and that QLS fully acknowledges the legitimate concerns surrounding underage vaping. 'However, as Sweden's success shows, this does not mean rejecting harm reduction altogether. Instead, it's about creating smart policies that both restrict youth access and enable adult smokers to quit smoking and switch to safer alternatives. 'QLS supports progressive, evidence-based regulation that accomplishes two things simultaneously: protects youth and empowers adults. Sweden's model, based on what we refer to as the 'three As': Accessibility, Acceptability, and Affordability, ensures safer alternatives are available for adult smokers while maintaining tight control over youth access. 'Such an approach avoids the pitfalls of prohibition while addressing both public health and economic concerns.' Castro said that South Africa's Bill should be built on a foundation of risk-proportionate regulation, which looks at a differentiated regulation for products based on relative risk; support for adult smokers by ensuring safer alternatives remain acceptable, accessible, and affordable; and targeted youth protections such as guidelines on descriptors (avoiding overly childish language), enforcement of age restriction, and responsible advertising and marketing.
