Prostate cancer is sometimes known not to show signs or symptoms in its early stages and might become evident at an advanced stage, by which time, it might have spread to vital organs in the body, reducing chances of survival.
ANGELA ON WUZOO writes on the experience of a retired civil servant turned businessman, who faced such an ordeal but survived to become an advocate against prostate cancer.
November 14, 2012, will remain indelible in the mind of Mr. Joseph Ogunbade. It was the day he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that sadly, led to the removal of his testicles.
The 75-year-old father of six, who claimed he had never gone for health checks before in his life until the ailment struck, told our correspondent he got to really know about the disease at the University College Hospital Ibadan.
The septuagenarian recalled being shocked by the doctor’s verdict said there was no symptom to indicate that anything was wrong with him.
Sharing his experience with PUNCH Healthwise, Ogunbade, who sees his survival as a miracle, said he will devote the rest of his life to prostate cancer advocacy by educating men on how to prevent it.
“It happened on November 14, 2012,” he recalled with a wry smile. “That day, I took beans pudding (moi-moi) for dinner. Around 11 pm, I wanted to urinate but couldn’t. I was uncomfortable. I started having this excruciating stomach pain. I called my sister that lives abroad to tell her about what was happening to me and she advised that I take four tablets of Gelusil.
“I collected the drug from my First Aid Box, chewed and swallowed it. After that, I called my daughter, Funmilola, who works at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and also told her about my experience.
“She asked me to sit on a chair. But the stomach pain was unbearable. All I wanted to do was to urinate and defecate, but couldn’t. My wife asked me to try to see if I can sleep.
“I managed to lie down on the bed, but within 15 minutes, I was pressed again and went to urinate. This time around, I was possible and went to sleep.”
Despite his ugly experience the previous night, the businessman refused to run a test, as advised by his children to find out what actually happened the previous night.
However, they were determined to find out why their father suddenly developed an excruciating stomach pain that made him unable to urinate or defecate when he had no underlying illness.
The septuagenarian said he was persuaded and cajoled before accepting to carry out a laboratory test.
He said, “We went to a laboratory in Ikeja and a scan result showed prostate enlargement. The report was sent to my daughter in UCH, and she asked me to come for proper medical evaluation and treatment. She said doctors at the premier hospital wanted to have me properly checked.”
“When I got to the General Outpatients Department at the UCH, Dr. Keyinde Adigun attended to me. He prescribed some drugs and me to come back the following week for further evaluation.”
Ogunbade, who was later operated on, said if not for the support he got from his children and prompt medical intervention, he might have died from prostate cancer.
He recounted, “When I got there the following week, I was referred to the Surgical Outpatients Department. I was later sent for more scans and tests, which all showed that I had advanced prostate cancer.
“I was booked for surgery and told by the doctor that my testicles will be removed but I refused. My children had to persuade me to have them removed so that I will be alright. I had to listen to them. The surgery was done in January 2013, and it lasted for less than two hours.”
Prostate cancer is 100 per cent treatable
Experts say prostate cancer is 100 per cent treatable if detected early, adding that it is the most common cancer found in men.
They noted that men can reduce prostate cancer risks by making healthy choices like exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
According to them, the burden of prostate cancer was high in Nigeria because many people presented late to the hospital.
Prostate cancer treatment expensive in Nigeria
The retiree told PUNCH Healthwise that he thought that after the surgery his treatment will be over and was unaware that managing advanced prostate cancer was not only complex but very expensive.
He said, “Some hours after the surgery, I was discharged and told to come back a week after to have the stitches removed. The following week, the doctor asked me to carry out a biopsy test, after which I was referred to the Oncology Department for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“I stayed in Ibadan for almost nine months because of post-treatment. Later, my treatment routine changed to undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy once every other month and was placed on medications. Presently, I am not on any medication. I am okay now.”
He, however, decried the cost of treating prostate cancer in Nigeria, noting that it was too expensive, especially when doing so through out-of-pocket payment.
Ogunbade said, “The treatment cost me so much money. The surgery to remove my testicles cost over N1.2m. I had chemotherapy for 11 months and each month N935,000.
For radiotherapy, I spent N36,000 per day, and then later, it was reduced to just once a week. The radiotherapy was for three months.”
Ogunbade said to avoid incurring such costs, regular screening for prostate and early detection remained the best option for men.
“If you are finding it difficult to urinate, go to the hospital for proper medical evaluation. Government should support people living with prostate cancer to offset some treatment costs,” he appealed.
Lack of symptoms
A Public Health Physician, Dr. Festus Adetonwa confirmed that some men that have survived prostate cancer did not notice any symptoms.
He explained that the prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system, adding that it is located below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum.
Dr. Adetonwa, who is the Head, Occupational Health and Safety Unit, Ogun State Ministry of Health, said prostate cancer is 100 per cent treatable if detected early, adding that it is the most common cancer found in men.
He pointed out that prostate cancer has the potential to grow and spread quickly, but that for most men, it is a relatively slow-growing disease.
He listed symptoms of prostate cancer to include blood in the urine (Hematuria), painful ejaculation, and pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.
“Other symptoms can be a dull pain in the lower pelvic area, frequent urination, trouble urinating, pain, burning, or weak urine flow. Others are loss of appetite, loss of weight and bone pain. In its early stages, prostate cancer often has no symptoms,” he added.
The physician urged men with the listed symptoms to see a doctor for a proper health check.
He identified smoking, overweight, lack of exercise, diet and environmental exposures as some of the modifiable risk factors for prostate cancer; while listing age, ethnicity and family history as non-modifiable risk factors.
Black men more prone to prostate cancer
According to research, black men are 70 per cent more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men, and they are nearly 2.3 times more likely to die from the disease.
Advising men to go for regular health screening, Dr. Adetonwa said, “As men increase in age, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases. It is also hereditary. If a relative has a history of prostate cancer then there is twice the likelihood to develop the disease.
“This is why it is advisable for men aged 40 and above, to begin early screening for detection of the disease. Screening for the disease may include Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA and other tests,”
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says different people have different symptoms of prostate cancer.
According to the CDC, some men do not have symptoms at all, while others have symptoms such as difficulty starting urination, weak or interrupted flow of urine, and urinating often, especially at night.
The US health agency noted highlighted others to include having trouble emptying the bladder, and that some men might experience pain or burning during urination.
