SARAJEVO, FEBRUARY 5 (ONASA) – The Movember campaign, organized in November 2023 by the Association of Prostate Cancer Patients of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, showed the power of quality initiatives to raise awareness of preventive examinations.
Free PSA testing in six cities of our country revealed 19 cases of elevated PSA values and these men were referred for further consultation with a urologist.
“As an association that brings together patients, doctors, psychologists and other experts, we are aware that the biggest problem in the prevention of disease in men is their attitude towards health and themselves.
The fact that men, when they need to do something for their health, often use different excuses inspired the campaign ‘What’s the problem?’ with which we wanted to draw the public’s attention to the fact that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to unofficial data, about 1,800 men are affected by prostate cancer,” explained Sead Sefić, the head of the Association.
Given that PSA testing for men over 50 is not legally mandatory in our country, this type of preventive examination is often absent.
And precisely PSA testing and consultation with a urologist are the main pillars of prevention of this disease.
Through cooperation with laboratories and donations from responsible companies, the association provided free PSA total tests in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, Bihać, Mostar and Goražde. A total of 256 tests were performed, and the average age of those tested was 62.9 years. The youngest tested man was 35, and the oldest 79.
The PSA test is performed from blood and measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.
PSA is a protein produced by normal and malignant cells of the prostate, a gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
The PSA test can help detect prostate problems, including prostate cancer, but it has pros and cons that should be considered before deciding to get tested.
It is usually recommended for men over age 50 who have no symptoms but are at increased risk of prostate cancer because of race, ethnicity, or a family history of the disease.
For men who have symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, or blood in the urine, the PSA test may be used along with other tests, such as a digital rectal examination (DRE) or prostate ultrasound. Elevated PSA values are not necessarily an indicator of prostate cancer, but they are an important signal for further consultation with a urologist.
Analysis of the results of the Movember 2023 campaign showed that the average value of PSA among those tested was 2.99 and ranged from 0.00 to even 150.00. Statistically, the most persons with elevated PSA values were recorded in Mostar, and the least in Bihać.
“In relation to the total number of tested (256), 19 or 7.4% of respondents were recorded with elevated PSA values.
The average age of the test subjects with elevated total PSA values was 64.1 years.
It should be noted that not all laboratories used age-adjusted reference values, but this still does not change the fact that everyone with elevated values was referred for further consultation with a urologist,” the Association states, proud of the fact that in this way they significantly contributed to the encouragement of men to think about their health, get tested and thus take the first step towards preventing or treating prostate cancer.
The association continues with socially beneficial activities in the desire to save lives, break taboos and contribute to a better quality of life not only for men, but also for entire families, and thus for society itself.
“With each new test, consultation and education, we are one step closer to a healthier and more aware community that prioritizes its health”, say the FBiH Prostate Cancer Association and invite all those interested to find more information at www.uorp.ba.