23-06-2025
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.
