- Breast cancer is much more talked about than prostate cancer, although in both cases we are talking about the same large patient population. There is even less talk about bladder cancer, which is also in the top ten cancer cases in the country," says Professor Paweł Wiechno, head of the Behavioural Unit of the NIO-PIB Urinary Tract Cancer Clinic, and admits that it is shame and embarrassment that make awareness of these cancers low, which translates into delays in diagnosis.
In the early stages, both prostate cancer and other urological cancers are not painful and patients only seek help when the disease has already progressed significantly. In turn, the stage of the disease translates into therapeutic options and the very effectiveness of treatment. - That is why prevention is so important, as it allows early detection of cancer, which is then curable," emphasises Professor Wiechno, adding that this cannot be achieved without broad education not only of patients, but also of the medical community.As the professor emphasises, diagnostics has recently changed significantly. There are new diagnostic testssuch as multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate, which allows very precise assessment of the presence of clinically significant prostate cancer. - In patients in whom we cannot detect cancer, but strongly suspect it, this examination can perfectly direct us to the cancerous focus, which is why it should be widely promoted, says the expert.An unusual examination that has recently appeared is PET PSMA, a type of computed tomography with an appropriate tracer, which very precisely shows early cancerous changes. These innovations are already making it possible to change the way patients are managed.Prof Wiechno also draws attention to the problems facing urology today. - Polish urologists have excellent competence when it comes to radical treatment. However, we have a significant problem with systemic treatment. Unfortunately, it is often not possible to cure a patient with a neoplasm, e.g. of the prostate gland, and its therapy is expensive. But this does not mean that it is not needed. It prolongs patients' lives.The professor admits that access to modern therapies is also a problem.
Source: cowzdrowiu.pl