Prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers in men, is among the most researched cancers. Innovations in diagnosis and screening programs are reflected in the number of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Stating that 1 out of every 4 men diagnosed with cancer in the world today has prostate cancer, Prostate Cancer Association Secretary General and Urology Specialist Prof. Dr. Faruk Yencilek said, "The good news at this point is that despite the increase in the number of patients with prostate cancer, thanks to innovations in early diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates due to prostate cancer have decreased by approximately 60 percent." 

Making important statements on the occasion of World Prostate Cancer Awareness Day, Prof. Dr. Faruk Yencilek, Head of the Department of Urology at Yeditepe University, underlined that success in the treatment of prostate cancer caught at an early stage (limited to the prostate) is not limited to oncological results. "Three results, which we call "Trifecta", are important in the success of the treatment. The first is the oncologic control of cancer. The second is that the patient can maintain an erection after treatment. The third is that he can continue his life without urinary incontinence." 

It is estimated that approximately 25 thousand men in our country get prostate cancer every year. However, since there is not enough prostate cancer screening, a small number of them are diagnosed with cancer. 

Underlining that prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men, Prof. Dr. Yencilek gave the following information about prostate cancer statistics: "Statistics indicate that approximately 25 thousand men in our country are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. However, the vast majority of these men are not diagnosed due to the lack of adequate prostate cancer screening. All over the world, one out of every four men diagnosed with cancer each year has prostate cancer. In Turkey, on average, one in every 12 men is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Approximately 700 thousand men in the USA and 350 thousand men in EU countries are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Depending on the increase in awareness on the subject, more widespread screening tests are the most important factor in the increase in the number of people diagnosed."

Full Recovery Can Be Achieved with Early Diagnosis

In prostate cancer, it is extremely important to detect the tumor while it is still confined to the organ (before it grows outside the prostate). Because when it is detected at this stage, it is possible to completely disable the disease with current treatment methods. Stating that prostate cancer is a type of cancer that progresses insidiously, Prof. Dr. Yencilek said, "PSA and regular urological controls have increased the detection rate of prostate cancer. However, it has reduced the loss of life due to the disease by approximately 60 percent all over the world."

If the Tumor is Local, Treatment Can Be Focal 

Reminding that the majority of prostate cancer is nowadays detected when it is limited to the organ, Prof. Dr. Faruk Yencilek continued his words as follows: "We categorize organ-limited prostate cancer into three groups as low, medium, and high risk according to its potential to spread outside the organ. This distinction determines the treatment approach. With the introduction of the diagnostic method called "Multi-parametric Prostate MRI" in the early 2010s, the rate of unnecessary prostate biopsies decreased. Because thanks to "Multi-parametric Prostate MRI", our rate of seeing the clinically important tumor has increased up to 90 percent. Thus, it is possible to catch clinically important cancer at an early stage. 

According to the results of Multi-parametric Prostate MRI, it is possible to diagnose cancer only by biopsy from the target. If the cancer is limited to the organ and in the low-medium risk group, we apply the focal treatment. In other words, we treat local diseases with focal treatment. In focal treatment, which has been widely used in recent years, only cancerous tissue is burned, and the prostate is not damaged. This way, possible complications are prevented and the patient can recover quickly. In patients in the high-risk group, surgical treatment gains priority."

The Role of Immunotherapy is Increasing Daily

Stating that prostate cancer is one of the most researched cancer types at every stage of its treatment, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Chief Physician Prof. Dr. Faruk Yencilek said, "Thanks to focal treatments and nerve-sparing prostate surgery in low-medium risk localized cancer, today the patient can have an erection and hold urine after treatment." 

Also underlining that there have been very promising developments in immunotherapy in prostate cancer, Prof. Dr. Yencilek said, "Normally, our body system tries to defeat the cancerous cell. However, the cancerous cell develops tactics. It secretes a substance to present itself as if it were a normal cell of the body. When the body's immune system sees that substance, it is deceived and perceives the tumor cell as a normal cell. Recently, there are such studies that by detecting that substance secreted to fool the immune system, the patient's immune system is retrained against the tumor. The immune system is re-taught that the tumor is not a friend but an enemy. Studies show that immunotherapy will have an important place in the treatment of prostate cancer in the coming years." 

What Should Be Done to Protect Oneself?

First of all, we should know that no diet will start or prevent prostate cancer alone. Because prostate cancer has multiple causes. Genetic predisposition, advanced age, and ethnicity are the most important determinants. However, it is necessary to follow some important rules regarding nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help both in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Prof. Dr. Faruk Yencilek from Yeditepe University Hospital pointed out that what should be done for general health such as regular sports and healthy nutrition is also necessary for prostate health and gave the following information.

"Linoleic acid in red meat increases the rate of spread of prostate cancer that has already started. Therefore, attention should be paid to red meat consumption. The second key point is overweight. The protein called leptin and insulin-like growth factor found in adipose tissue negatively affect the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, precautions should be taken against being overweight. In addition, fat-rich and high-calorie foods should be avoided. On the other hand, tomatoes, green tea, and soy group are foods that reduce the growth of prostate cancer cells due to their lycopene content. It is important to include more of these in our diet."