Prostate cancer awareness campaign launched

A campaign to promote prostate cancer awareness has been launched by the Health Promotion Department.

The campaign, being held this week, includes a television spot and posters have been set up in various places including pharmacies and clinics to encourage men to visit their doctor and take up a healty lifestyle.

Director Charmaine Gauci said that prostate cancer developed in a gland in the male reproductive system when the cells multiplied out of control. It could spread to other parts of the body.

Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer in males in Malta. Between 2002 and 2006 there were 673 new cases of prostate cancer with an annual incidence of 62 cases for every 100,000 men. This is lower than the EU average of 67 cases for every 100,000 men.

In 2006 the 80 to 84 age group had the highest rate, followed by 75 to 79 age group. Only one case of prostate cancer was reported in the under 44 age group between 1996 and 2006.

Dr Gauci said that obesity increased the risk of prostate cancer by 50 percent. One was also at a higher risk with a family history of the cancer.