By Sade Adewale & Precious Owolabi

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The spike in prostate cancer among Nigerian men is becoming alarming and generating serious concerns among medical experts, The Hope investigation has revealed.

Investigations by The Hope revealed that over 30 million men globally suffer from conditions like prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer.

Medical experts who spoke with The Hope, attributed the rising prevalence of prostate cancer to unhealthy lifestyle and lack of regular checkups.

The experts highlighted the significance of lifestyle changes in preventing prostate cancer, and advised avoiding tobacco and excessive calories intake, which can promote unhealthy weight gain, insulin resistance, and elevated blood sugar—conditions that can accelerate prostatic growth

In separate exclusive interviews with The Hope, experts stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, including items like avocados, broccoli, guavas, blueberries, and walnuts.

Nutritional supplements such as zinc, selenium, curcumin, and Nigella sativa were also recommended for their protective effects against prostate cancer.

Those who spoke included, Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital in Akure, Dr Ndidi Okunnuga; Dr Olurotimi Ogundiniyi; Dr. Joel Logbo, and Dr. Mathew Taiwo.

Others are Dr. Mathew Eleshinmongun and a Herbal Doctor Omolara Olufemi

They explained that facilities available in the nation’s health facilities are not adequate to meet the medical needs of patients and the skilled health workers or professionals are also in short supply compared to the actual number required.

They equally lamented lack of awareness about the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test and pointed out that men over the age of 40 should regularly undergo the PSA test.

The Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist of University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital in Akure, Dr Ndidi Okunnuga explained that the only strategy for man not to be exposed to prostate cancer is to avoid the risk factors that may cause it.

Okunnuga said the causative factors toward the trending prostate cancer is not known but there are associated risk factors that can expose or increase the development of the disease.

Okunnuga noted that prostate cancer remains the commonest cancer among Nigerian men, and it is the commonest cause of death in the country.

She added that the key factors contributing to the increasing incident of prostate cancer among men is the fact that most black men are exposed to factors that may pre-dispose one to prostate cancer.

The Consultant noted that prostate cancer accounts for 11 percent of all cancer or cancer cases, it is commonly seen among black men and the age at presentation is really coming down.

She went further to say obesity is one of the factors, lack of exercise and previous history of prostate cancer are another risk factors that can give high risk of having prostate cancer later in life.

“The current rate of prostate cancer in Nigeria is approximately 23 per 100,000 men while in Ondo State is a bit higher and is 25 per 100,000 men and the peak age is usually 60 to 69 years.

“Majorly, most of the cases they come in advanced stage of the disease, most of the men don’t come early and by the time they are coming to the hospital the disease is already advance”, Okunnuga added.

The Consultant further said that the main strategy is to avoid the risk factors mentioned earlier so as to have low risk. This also is a way of reducing the number of prostate cancer cases in the society.

According to her, if there’s family history such an individual should go for screening early enough.

She noted that the facilities available are not adequate enough and the skilled health workers or professionals are also in short supply compared to the actual number required.

“The current healthcare institutions are not adequately equipped to provide comprehensive care and treatment, therefore, we need the government and corporate organisation to help provide more available diagnostic facilities, more available human resources so that we have adequate and standard care given to these patients.

“One of the diagnostic equipment we are looking at are bone scan, X-ray machine, the CT scan, MRI and other modern facilities that will make the diagnostic process easier. We also need more healthcare professionals that we make sure that these patient have the standard care that they require “, said Okunnuga.

Also speaking, Dr Olurotimi Ogundiniyi described prostate cancer as infectious disease used and a major cause of death among Nigerian men.

Ogundiniyi noted that age is the major risk factor for developing prostate cancer. Another reason is unavailability of diagnostic equipment and lack of awareness awareness.

He said the screening test is now very readily available and more people are submitting themselves for screening and diagnosis.

According to him, the most important strategy is early detection through screening. Increased awareness campaigns is the key, adding that people should present themselves for screening by yearly PSA ( prostate specific Antigen ) check from the aged 50 .

“For now, we are coping, at least our people do not have to travel to Ife, Ibadan and Lagos to be treated by Urologists , where they suffer from long waiting times and spend huge sums of money .

“We need more doctors to specialize in Urology as we are definitely going to see increasing number of cases , it is so all over the world. We need CT scan and MRI, it is not in the interests of our people that these machines are owned by some private individuals, they are not readily available in our state.

An alternative medicine consultant, Dr. Joel Logbo, also raised concerns about the rising prevalence of prostate-related disorders, revealing that over 30 million men globally suffer from conditions like prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer.

He explained that prostatitis (Prostate inflammation), affects nearly all men during their lifetime and, if left untreated, can progress to more severe conditions, including cancer.

“Prostate cancer results from abnormal growth of prostate gland cells, often triggered by gene mutations. Environmental factors such as pollution, sedentary lifestyles, high-sugar diets, and excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine also play a role,” he said.

Dr. Logbo identified the symptoms of prostate cancer as frequent and painful urination, lower back pain, pain behind the testicles, painful ejaculation, and general fatigue. He emphasised that early detection remains critical in managing the disease effectively.

The consultant urged men over the age of 50 to undergo regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and annual scans. “PSA levels alone are not enough to confirm cancer; a high level does not always indicate cancer, and low levels do not guarantee its absence,” he warned.

He stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, including items like avocados, broccoli, guavas, blueberries, and walnuts. Nutritional supplements such as zinc, selenium, curcumin, and Nigella sativa were also recommended for their protective effects against prostate cancer.

Dr. Logbo advocated detoxification as the first step in alternative cancer management, aiming to rid the body of toxins and waste. “Detoxification, combined with a whole-foods diet and other lifestyle changes, creates a more conducive environment for healing,” he explained.

He noted the limitations of both alternative and conventional medicine, calling for collaboration between the two fields to enhance patient care. “Effective cancer management requires a united effort. The focus should be on saving lives, not on which field gets the credit,” he stated.