Adnkronos (Adnkronos) – "Certainly any communication opportunity dedicated to prostate cancer prevention is a good thing. Francesco Totti helped us shine a spotlight on the month of November, which is dedicated to prostate cancer prevention and men's health, promoted by the Italian Society of Urology (SIU). It is the most common cancer in men, with 40 cases per year in Italy and 7 deaths; nearly 600 men continue to live with the tumor.
Faced with a problem with such a significant epidemiological impact, prevention is essential. It's not a niche disease, but one with a major social impact that can be prevented with annual checkups after age 50 and tests like PSA and MRI. Just as women take preventive measures against breast cancer, men should have annual urological checkups.
Giuseppe Carrieri, president of the Italian Society of Urology, spoke to Adnkronos Salute after the former Roma player told of his first prostate exam during the presentation of his book 'Oltre' in Rome. "This guy showed up, six feet tall, with a huge thumb. I said to him, 'What do you want to do with this thing...?'
The former Roma captain entertained the audience at the Brancaccio Theatre with his story, punctuated by unconventional comedic timing: "Don't you dare," he continued, "or I'll kill you. I didn't know him, but I already hated him. Just the thought of him coming from down there gave me goosebumps... You've all had your prostate checked out here, right? All right, go get it done, it's beautiful..."
"The lighthearted context in which Totti described his approach to prostate screening doesn't convey the truth," Carrieri warns, "and as SIU, we feel we should reassure men: it's not an 'act of violence,' but above all a 360-degree conversation between doctor and patient. We're fighting to have prostate cancer screening included in the Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA). We know that this prevention could lead to a 25% reduction in mortality, or 1.800 fewer deaths each year. In short, a urological examination," the president concludes, "isn't a 'joke,' and we shouldn't overdramatize a medical procedure that's focused on prevention. There's no need to be afraid of prostate screening. We hope that Francesco Totti can help us in the future to broaden the message of prevention and early diagnosis."
The 99th National Congress of the Italian Society of Urology (SIU) will take place in Riccione from October 28th to 31st. The Italian Society of Urology recently presented the new "Decalogue of Uro-Andrological Longevity" to the Ministry of Health, a practical guide designed to guide citizens towards informed lifestyle choices and daily preventive behaviors. The Decalogue also highlights the importance of not underestimating the body's warning signs and signals. Frequently getting up at night to urinate disrupts sleep and can be a sign not only of prostate problems, but also of cardiac or metabolic issues. Likewise, changes in urinary flow, urgency, or difficulty should not be dismissed as simple consequences of aging. Ample space is dedicated to lifestyle and comprehensive prevention: adhering to the Mediterranean diet and proper hydration (reducing fluids in the evening to promote sleep) protect the kidneys and urinary tract; Attention is also drawn to protection from occupational exposure to chemicals and heat, to observation and self-monitoring of the genitals, to the protection of couples' fertility and to the periodic review of drug therapies as age advances.
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