Many men are ill-informed about prostate cancer or know it very roughly.
Some of the most common inaccuracies regarding this pathology are:
Prostate cancer is exclusive to older people . It is wrong because, in reality, it can also affect people under 40. Advanced age is an important risk factor, but it is not the only one: in fact, family history, race, diet etc. also influence.
Prostate cancer surgery causes permanent urinary incontinence and / or impotence . It is wrong because, in most cases, incontinence and impotence progressively improve over time.
All prostate cancers must be treated surgically . It is inaccurate, because, if the cancer has slow growth or the patient does not enjoy good health, it is preferable to avoid surgery.
A high PSA test always means prostate cancer . It is incorrect, as a high PSA may also be synonymous with benign prostatic hypertrophy or prostatitis. Also, some prostate cancer patients have low PSA.
The absence of symptoms or signs does not necessarily mean the absence of prostate cancer . It is wrong, as prostate cancer is very often asymptomatic.
Prostate cancer is always lethal . It is inaccurate, because many sufferers survive for a long time and lead an almost normal life. Clearly, the evolution of the tumor must be continuously monitored.
