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Awareness of urological cancers and proactive health screenings can empower men to detect and treat these cancers early, significantly improving the chances for a cure and preserving quality of life.
November is dedicated to men’s health awareness, with a spotlight on the rising incidence of urological cancers globally. Uro-oncology, or genito-urinary oncology, focuses on cancers in the male reproductive and urinary organs, including prostate, kidney, adrenal, bladder, testicular, and penile cancers. These cancers are highly treatable if detected early, and even in some advanced cases, multiple treatment options can improve outcomes. However, late-stage cancers are often incurable; palliative and supportive care can still enhance quality of life.
Early detection is crucial and significantly improves treatment success rates. While most genito-urinary cancers present with few or no symptoms in their early stages, regular screening and health check-ups are essential for early diagnosis. Common warning signs include lumps, sores that don’t heal, blood in urine, unexplained weight loss, and loss of appetite. Specific screenings such as imaging for kidney, adrenal, bladder, and testicular cancers, PSA tests for prostate cancer, and clinical exams for penile cancer, are recommended for early detection.
In treatment, the goal is not only to eliminate the cancer but also to preserve organ function whenever possible. Procedures like partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer, endoscopic resection or partial cystectomy for bladder cancer, and selective surgeries for penile and testicular cancers aim to balance oncological success with functional outcomes. These organ-sparing approaches, while promising, are recommended only in specific circumstances based on the surgeon’s evaluation.
Awareness of urological cancers and proactive health screenings can empower men to detect and treat these cancers early, significantly improving the chances for a cure and preserving quality of life.