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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Caution against men’s tendency to hide health issues

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Kaushalendra Singh  -


SALALAH, Feb 19 -


There is a warning for men, as breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men have same rate of incidence.


While women get to discuss their health issues in front of doctors, there is tendency among men to hide their problems and not disclose until it gets worse and becomes problematic.


These facts came for discussion during a cancer awareness campaign undergoing in Salalah to mark World Cancer Day, which is observed on February 4.


Dr Yousef Elgis, Eurologist at Al Hakeem Medical Center, also cautioned people not to treat prostate cancer as old man’s disease and advised every man above 30 to go for regular checkups to avoid getting caught unaware.


He cited a general survey (not in Oman) with estimated 22,300 cases in which it was found that the risk of prostate cancer increased with age but was found in some young people as well. For example, in 30-39 age group there were five cases; 40-49 there were 340, there were 3,500 cases in 50-59 age group and 8,000 in 60-69.


The prevalence was 7,000 in 70-79 and 3,400 in 80 plus people respectively.


“It has been noticed that women are motivated to talk about their health concerns and rally for support, while men are motivated to find excuses to ignore their health concerns, and hide,” he said.


Dr Yousef encouraged people to go for regular checkups as 95 per cent of prostate cancer is curable if detected and treated in the early stages. “The only catch is the fact that there are no symptoms in the early stages so it is essential to check the prostate every year via two tests available through a doctor.”


To avoid being affected by prostate cancer he offered a ‘Prostate Cancer Survival Checklist’ and advised “to eat more nutritious foods, take a multi-vitamin daily, watch your weight, exercise and know your PSA (prostate cancer assessment) score.


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