The Directorate of Health Services, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), in collaboration with the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Kogi State Chapter, recently held a highly impactful campaign to raise awareness about prostate cancer, a disease commonly affecting males from middle age.

The event, which took place on November 28, 2024, witnessed a significant turnout of staff who availed themselves of the opportunity to undergo prostate cancer screening. The campaign emphasized early detection as a critical factor in managing the disease and preventing severe complications.

The Director of University Health Services, Dr. Chineye Otorkpa, who has been at the forefront of the initiative, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation. In her remarks, the Director of UHS commended the University management for its unwavering commitment to staff welfare, particularly in healthcare. She assured participants that the results of the screenings would be promptly released to enable timely medical intervention where necessary.

During the programme, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, was praised for his proactive efforts in prioritizing staff health and welfare. Under his leadership, the University has mobilized support from partners and associates to provide quality healthcare services at minimal cost.

Dr. Osunaiye Olutayo I., a Consultant Urologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), delivered a keynote address on prostate health. He described the prostate as a walnut-sized accessory reproductive organ in males, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. He highlighted its androgen-dependent nature, explaining that it continues to grow throughout a man’s life.

“The prostate plays a crucial role in male reproduction by contributing secretions to semen and aiding in its propulsion during ejaculation. However, as men age, typically from 40 years onwards, the prostate may enlarge, potentially causing health issues,” Dr. Osunaiye explained.

He elaborated on common prostate-related conditions, including Prostate Cancer - a malignant growth that may spread to other parts of the body, Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate, and Benign Prostatic Enlargement (BPE) - a non-cancerous increase in prostate size.

Dr. Osunaiye emphasized the importance of recognizing early symptoms of prostate cancer, such as difficulty urinating (frequent urination, straining, weak urine flow), blood in urine, and constipation. Other symptoms include swelling of the face or legs (due to kidney involvement), low back or bone pain (indicating cancer spread), and weakness in the legs (another sign of spread).

According to the medical expert, there are treatment options based on the stage of the disease including early-stage: surgical removal of the prostate or radiotherapy, and advanced-stage: palliative treatments, including surgical removal of the testes, hormonal injections, or chemotherapy to alleviate symptoms.

Dr. Osunaiye concluded by urging men, especially those aged 40 and above, to prioritize regular health check-ups, including digital rectal examinations, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests, and abdominopelvic ultrasounds, to maintain optimal prostate health. See more pictures here 

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