Prostate Cancer Can Develop Without Symptoms, Dr Chris Aminarh Warns

Men have been urged not to wait for urinary problems before getting their prostate health assessed, as prostate cancer can develop without obvious symptoms in its early stages.

Medical practitioner Dr Chris Aminarh said early checks are important because symptoms such as difficulty urinating, a weak urine stream or frequent urination are not necessarily signs of cancer and may instead be caused by benign prostate enlargement.

He made the comments on the Culture Daily morning show on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM during a discussion on prostate health.

Dr Aminarh explained that the prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and surrounding part of the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body.

As men age, the prostate can become enlarged in a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The enlargement can put pressure on the urethra and make urination difficult.

Common symptoms include difficulty starting urination, a weak urine stream, frequent trips to the toilet, particularly at night, and a feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely.

However, Dr Aminarh stressed that prostate cancer is different from ordinary prostate enlargement.

“Early prostate cancer may not cause symptoms,” he said.

This is consistent with medical guidance which notes that prostate cancer often produces no symptoms in its early stages. Urinary symptoms may appear when a tumour grows and begins to affect the urethra.

The doctor said family history is also important when assessing a man’s risk.

Men whose fathers, brothers or other close relatives have had prostate cancer may face a higher risk. Age is another major risk factor, while men of Black African or African Caribbean background are also considered to have a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Dr Aminarh encouraged men to discuss prostate checks with qualified health professionals rather than relying on symptoms alone.

He said the assessment may involve taking a patient’s medical and family history, a physical examination and blood tests, depending on the individual’s symptoms and risk factors.

One of the tests is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. However, Dr Aminarh cautioned against treating the PSA test as a definitive cancer diagnosis.

A raised PSA level does not automatically mean a man has prostate cancer. PSA can also increase because of benign prostate enlargement or inflammation of the prostate. Further assessment may therefore be required.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, prostate cancer accounted for an estimated 2,395 new cases among men in Ghana in 2022, making it the second most common cancer among Ghanaian men in the agency’s estimates.

Dr Aminarh said greater awareness and early medical assessment could help men identify prostate problems before they become more difficult and costly to manage.