The Ministry of Health is taking advantage of Men's Health Month to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the importance of taking action as soon as symptoms arise.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, with more than 520 new cases each year in Luxembourg. It is also the second most deadly cancer, causing 55 deaths in 2019, according to the National Cancer Registry.

As part of Men's Health Month, the Ministry of Health and Social Security aims to raise awareness among men of the importance of checking for symptoms that could indicate prostate cancer and seeing a doctor as soon as possible.

Symptoms include an elevated PSA level and pain when urinating. The ministry points out that prostate cancer presents symptoms similar to those of certain benign diseases.

If symptoms are present, only a doctor may refer a patient for the appropriate additional tests, namely a PSA blood test and a rectal examination. These two tests combined offer the best chance of early detection of prostate cancer, according to the ministry.

The incidence of prostate cancer increases rapidly with age, peaking between the ages of 75 and 79. It should be noted, however, that the mortality rate for this type of cancer only increases after the age of 85.

The ministry stresses that the earlier a diagnosis is made, the more effective the treatment and the better the chances of recovery.