Movember: at what age to talk to your doctor about prostate cancer, and why a father or brother changes everything
It is one of the most common tumours in men and at first it may cause no symptoms. Specialists explain what PSA measures, why a high value is not a diagnosis and when family history means seeing a doctor earlier.
Photo: Salud3 / Imagen ilustrativa generada con IA · Imagen ilustrativa
Illustrative image: An older grey-haired father and his adult son seen from behind, walking along an autumn park path at sunset, the son's hand on his father's shoulder and a light-blue ribbon on the father's jacket. It does not depict real people.
November is men's health month. With the Movember movement, born in Australia in 2003 when a group of friends grew moustaches, and campaigns such as Blue November, doctors across the region are repeating one message: talk about prostate cancer before symptoms appear.
Because at first it often gives no warning.
A common cancer that may cause no symptoms
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in the world. In Argentina, for example, between 11,600 and 13,000 men are diagnosed every year and it accounts for about 20% of tumours in men, Infobae reported on Thursday, 5 November. The good news: there, mortality fell 26% between 2014 and 2024.
With age, the prostate can grow and cause frequent urges to urinate, a weak stream or a feeling of not emptying the bladder. But those problems are usually due to benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement that is not cancer. And the reverse is true too: cancer may cause no discomfort in its early stages.
About 90% of cases are diagnosed after age 65, specialist Juan Cruz Gallo told Infobae. That is why it is generally advised to start the conversation with your doctor from age 50.
When to see a doctor earlier
"Having a father or a brother with prostate cancer increases the risk, especially if they were diagnosed before age 60," Gallo said. Between 5% and 10% of cases may have a family or genetic component. If several relatives are affected or diagnoses came at a young age, the medical team may consider genetic testing.
A family history does not mean the disease will appear, but it can change the timing of your first check. Don't leave it lost in a family conversation: tell your doctor.
What PSA is and why it is not enough on its own
The best-known test is the blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). MedlinePlus explains that a high PSA can mean cancer, but it is not proof of cancer: benign prostate enlargement, other prostate problems or certain medicines can also raise it. And a low PSA does not rule it out. That is why it recommends talking with your doctor about the benefits and risks of the test, such as false positives.
According to the specialists consulted by Infobae, the result is interpreted together with age, family history and how the values change over time. The doctor may repeat it, add a rectal exam or an MRI scan, and only if suspicion remains, a biopsy. If cancer is confirmed, options range from active surveillance to surgery or radiotherapy.
Keeping a healthy weight, being physically active and not smoking help your overall health, although they do not replace check-ups. If you are 50 or older, or have a family history, see your doctor about the follow-up that is right for you.
Read also: Cáncer de pulmón sin fumar: por qué también afecta a quienes nunca fumaron · "No sabía que tenía deficiencia de vitamina D hasta que me desmayé": la carencia silenciosa
Sources
For information only. It does not replace advice from a health professional. Medical disclaimer