The 21st century is well upon us, and the scientific and health landscape is rapidly changing, yet there are still new horizons to conquer. The final frontier does not lie in a distant galaxy. It is much closer to home. Look no further than the place where men fear to tread: Men's Health.
The prostate gland, which rarely sees the light of day, is suddenly in the spotlight and cancer is the focus. Prostate cancer is not just a disease of men, but a disease of couples, especially when issues of manhood and masculinity are at stake. Surgery for prostate cancer may result in erectile problems and urinary incontinence. These make up the very fabric that constitutes masculinity, wherein lies the reluctance to contemplate prostate screening. Can men learn to address this difficult topic, or are they too often reluctant to discuss it until it is too late?
Early diagnosis of prostate cancer remains critical, as it does with all cancers, to ensure the best possible outcome for men. Finding ways of minimising the unwanted effects of surgery is another vital step in the quest for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.