AWC HEALTH DESK, OCTOBER 2026
LAGOS — Renowned robotic urological surgeon and CEO of The Prostate Clinic (TPC), Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, has debunked widespread social media myths claiming that frequent sexual activity or dietary supplements can prevent prostate cancer.
Speaking during a clinical milestone anniversary for TPC in Lagos, Prof. Ekwueme clarified that prostate cancer lacks a definitive single cause, emphasizing that neither high sexual frequency nor specific diets—including herbal concoctions or heavy consumption of soursop and tomatoes—have been proven to prevent the disease. Terming the illness a “silent killer,” Ekwueme urged Nigerian men to ignore online speculation and focus on scientifically established risk factors and early screening protocols.
Established Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer
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Age: Risk increases sharply with age. While prostate enlargement typically begins around age 30, prostate cancer rarely affects young adults and peaks between ages 60 and 65.
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Ethnicity: Black men face a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are statistically more likely to present with aggressive, fatal forms of the disease compared to other racial demographics.
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Family History: Men with a first-degree relative (father, brother, or uncle) diagnosed with prostate cancer face a heightened risk and are likely to develop the disease up to seven years earlier than average—often in their early 50s.
The Late-Detection Crisis in Nigeria
Prof. Ekwueme highlighted a stark disparity in global diagnosis timelines: while only 12.5% of men in the United Kingdom present with late-stage, incurable prostate cancer, over 80% of Nigerian men present at advanced stages when therapeutic options are severely limited. Driven by fear, social stigma, and reliance on unproven herbal mixtures, critical time is often lost before patients consult medical specialists.
Urologists strongly advise men—especially those with a family history of the disease—not to wait for physical symptoms and to begin annual Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood testing starting at age 45. Early detection remains the primary pathway to successful, cure-oriented clinical intervention.
#ProstateCancer #MenHealth #PublicHealth #HealthMyths #NigeriaHealthcare
