Is the most common tumor among men ahead of cancer of the colon and rectum, lung and urinary bladder. And according to estimates Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the prostate cancer It will be one of the most diagnosed cancers in 2023 in Spain with 29,002 cases.


This past Tuesday, June 11, World Prostate Cancer Day was celebrated, a day that highlighted the importance of early diagnostic.

  • The majority of patients diagnosed with this disease are over 65 years and the average age of diagnosis is 75 years.

However, we are talking about a painless cancer that does not produce symptoms until it is very advanced.

  • Hence, the Periodic check-ups (annual from age 50) are vital to avoid the risks that come with late diagnosis, when the disease is already in an advanced state.

Furthermore, in the event that there is a family history, it is recommended to go for a consultation from the age of 45 to “catch” the disease in time.


As explained by Dr. Aránzazu Gonzálezmember of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology:

  • “The exact causes of the prostate cancer and it is thought that most occur due to several factors that interact with each other and increase the risk of developing the disease.”

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

  • Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases from age 50-60 among white men. But that age range drops to 40 years in the case of black men or men with a family history.

  • Race. As we have already mentioned, prostate cancer “is more common in black men and they have a worse prognosis” and “less common in Asian countries.”

  • Family history and genetic factors. It is believed that until 10% of prostate cancer cases have a “genetic component”. Those men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with this disease are the ones most likely to develop the same pathology in the future. And even from 35 years of age.

Furthermore, as the specialist highlights, there are some clues about the risk of this disease:

  • “Several genes are known to be associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer, highlighting BRCA2, and to a lesser extent BRCA1, which also predispose to other types of tumors (breast, ovary, pancreas…), also mutations in other genes such as CHEK2, ATM, HOXB13 confer a greater risk of suffering from prostate cancer”, .

However, there are other factors that can also influence the development of prostate cancer, such as:

  • Diet rich in animal fats and poor in vegetables.

  • Infections and chronic inflammation such as prostastitis repetition. It is a inflammation of the prostate gland which can be caused by an infection and causes pain or burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, painful ejaculation or pain in the abdomen.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

  • Interruption of the urine stream.
  • Increased frequency of urination, especially at night.
  • Difficulty urinating or burning during urination.
  • Presence of blood in urine/semen.
  • Sexual impotence.

In advanced stages of prostate cancer:

  • Bone pain.
  • Tiredness and weight loss.
  • Swelling of the legs.
  • Weight loss in the legs.

Can prostate cancer be avoided with a good diet?

As Dr. González emphasizes, there are Protective factors that could prevent the development of this disease, which has a good prognosis. Approximately 85% of diagnosed patients survive more than 5 years.


One of the main factors that can keep us away from prostate cancer is diet.

  • “He tomato and the watermelon They have a high lycopene content, antioxidants that help prevent DNA damage and that in some studies have been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer,” he points out.

But, “the phytoestrogens present in the soy and other legumes or Coffee consumption (with and without caffeine) have also been linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer.”

Exercise is essential, especially after 65 years of age. “The data relating physical activity to prostate cancer are contradictory, although it appears that patients over 65 years of age who perform vigorous physical exercise have a lower risk.”

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

Prostate cancer is a disease that can be diagnosed with a simple rectal examination in a very initial state.

  • “It consists of palpation of the prostate through the rectal wall in search of nodules or suspicious areas, since most tumors are initially located in the peripheral part of the gland.”

Although it is not painful at all, it can be somewhat annoying. When faced with a suspected rectal examination, the next step is to perform a prostate biopsy. Prostate tissue is obtained to be analyzed under a microscope for malignancy.

However, this pathology can also be detected with a blood test called prostate-specific antigen test (PSA, for its acronym in English).

  • “It must be taken into account that PSA levels can also rise simply with age, in benign prostatic hyperplasiawith infection/inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) or after trauma to the area (such as bladder catheterization or surgery)”

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