🏥 Mascot Healthcare — LagosWhatsApp Us
🎗️ Men's Health

Prostate Cancer in Nigeria

The most common cancer in Nigerian men — what you need to know

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Nigerian men and one of the most lethal — partly because it is frequently detected late. Nigerian men have a genetically higher risk than other populations. The good news: when caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. Screening, awareness, and early action save lives.

Signs and Symptoms

✓ Early prostate cancer usually causes NO symptoms
✓ Difficulty starting urination or weak urine stream
✓ Frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia)
✓ Feeling that the bladder is not fully empty
✓ Blood in urine or semen
✓ Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
✓ Bone pain — especially back, hips, or thighs (suggests advanced disease)
✓ Unexplained weight loss or fatigue (advanced disease)

Risk Factors

When to Seek Help

Age 45 with no symptomsNigerian men should discuss PSA screening with a doctor at 45, or at 40 if there is a family history of prostate cancer.
Any urinary symptoms lasting >4 weeksUrinary symptoms may be prostate enlargement (BPH) rather than cancer, but both need assessment.
Blood in urine or semenAlways warrants prompt urological assessment regardless of age.
Bone pain in a man over 50Unexplained bone pain — especially in the spine, hips, or ribs — requires PSA test and bone scan to exclude metastatic prostate cancer.

Tests & Diagnosis

🧪 PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test
Elevated PSA may indicate prostate cancer, BPH, or prostatitis. A PSA above 4.0 ng/mL warrants further investigation. PSA alone does not diagnose cancer — it is a screening tool.
🧪 Digital rectal examination (DRE)
The doctor feels the prostate through the rectum. A hard, irregular, or asymmetric prostate is suspicious. Done alongside PSA for best screening accuracy.
🧪 Prostate biopsy
If PSA is elevated or DRE is abnormal — a needle biopsy under ultrasound guidance takes tissue samples. This is the definitive diagnostic test.
🧪 MRI of the prostate (mpMRI)
Before or instead of biopsy in some cases — identifies suspicious areas to target. Reduces unnecessary biopsies.
🧪 Bone scan + CT scan
If cancer is confirmed — checks whether it has spread to bones or lymph nodes (staging).

Treatment Options

1
Active surveillance
For low-risk, slow-growing cancer — regular PSA, DRE, and biopsies instead of immediate treatment. Many elderly men with low-grade prostate cancer die of other causes, not the cancer. Avoids treatment side effects.
2
Surgery (radical prostatectomy)
Removal of the prostate gland. Offers potential cure for localised cancer. Risks: urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (often temporary; sometimes permanent).
3
Radiotherapy
External beam radiation or brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted in the prostate). Similar outcomes to surgery for localised disease. Available at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and other centres.
4
Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation)
Reduces testosterone, which fuels prostate cancer growth. Used for advanced or metastatic disease, or alongside radiotherapy.
5
Chemotherapy
For castration-resistant prostate cancer (when hormone therapy stops working). Docetaxel is the standard first-line agent.
6
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy
Newer agents (abiraterone, enzalutamide, olaparib) improve survival in advanced disease — availability in Nigeria is growing.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should Nigerian men get a PSA test?
Most guidelines recommend starting at 50 for average-risk men. Given the higher risk in Nigerian men, 45 is more appropriate — or 40 if you have a father or brother who had prostate cancer.
Is an enlarged prostate the same as prostate cancer?
No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — an enlarged but non-cancerous prostate — is extremely common in men over 50 and causes similar urinary symptoms. BPH does not turn into cancer. However, both conditions can co-exist and both need assessment.
Can prostate cancer be cured?
Yes — when detected at an early, localised stage, prostate cancer is highly curable with surgery or radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rate for localised prostate cancer is above 98%. For metastatic disease, it is managed rather than cured, but survival has improved dramatically.
Does sexual activity affect prostate cancer risk?
Some studies suggest higher frequency of ejaculation reduces risk slightly — but the evidence is not strong enough to change clinical practice. Prostate cancer is not caused by sexual activity.
Can prostate cancer be prevented?
No proven prevention, but risk reduction strategies include: maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a diet rich in vegetables and low in red meat and processed foods, and avoiding smoking. Regular screening allows early detection, which is the next best thing to prevention.

Related Pages

Colorectal Cancer in NigeriaCervical Cancer Prevention in NigeriaBreast Cancer in NigeriaLiver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) in Nigeria

Ready to speak to a doctor?

Confidential, judgement-free consultations — book online or via WhatsApp.

💬 Book on WhatsApp