Movember: Doctors warn of low awareness around prostate and testicular cancer in India

Movember widely recognised for its moustacheled movement to raise awareness of prostate cancer testicular cancer and menrsquos mental health has become a global symbol of male wellness Yet in India the message continues to be underrecognised with awareness of these two major cancers still worryingly lowOn International Mens Day observed annually on November 21 midday spoke to Dr Anil Heroor Director ndash Oncological Sciences and Dr Aakil Khan Consultant Urologist KIMS Hospitals Thane They highlight the early signs men tend to overlook the myths that delay diagnosis and what society must do to normalise yearround conversations about menrsquos healthIs awareness of prostate and testicular cancer still low in IndiaDr Heroor ldquoAwareness has improved compared to a decade ago but it remains limited Urban men are more informed due to better access to health information and routine checkups However in semiurban and rural areas these cancers are often unheard of until they reach an advanced stage Overall menrsquos health conversations lag far behind womenrsquos health awareness making early detection rarerdquoDr Khan ldquoMore men are informed today but awareness is still concentrated among those who undergo yearly health checkups Many patients know about prostate enlargement but not prostate cancer and testicular cancer remains one of the leastknown male cancersrdquoWhat early warning signs do men often ignore How does screening helpDr Heroor ldquoProstate cancer may present as frequent urination a weak urine stream pelvic discomfort or blood in urine Testicular cancer can appear as a painless lump or swelling in the scrotum Because these symptoms seem mild many men ignore them Regular PSA screening after 50 and monthly testicular selfexams can detect abnormalities earlymdashwhen they are highly treatablerdquoDr Khan ldquoMen often notice changes in urine flow or nighttime urination but attribute them to ageing Testicular cancer may begin as a small area of firmness or a change in sizemdashsymptoms men often overlook because theyrsquore not painfulrdquoIs the conversation around screening lacking WhyDr Heroor ldquoYes Men often associate screening with weakness or illness There is also a lack of male cancerndashfocused public health campaigns unlike breast or cervical cancer initiatives Screening helps detect silent cancers before they spread improving survival rates and reducing treatment intensityrdquoDr Khan ldquoUrology screenings arenrsquot yet part of preventive healthcare in India Many men donrsquot know that a simple PSA test and an ultrasound can detect issues long before symptoms become seriousrdquoWhat are the major risk factors and do lifestyle or genetics play a bigger roleDr Heroor ldquoAge family history and highfat diets increase prostate cancer risk Testicular cancer is more common in younger men and those with undescended testes Lifestyle factors such as obesity smoking and low physical activity worsen risk Genetics plays a role but a balanced diet regular exercise and avoiding tobacco can significantly reduce riskrdquoDr Khan ldquoFor prostate cancer age is the biggest determinant Diets rich in animal fat and sedentary lifestyles contribute Testicular cancer is linked to family history prior testicular issues and undescended testesrdquoWhen should men begin screeningDr Heroor ldquoMen above 50 should undergo an annual PSA test while those with a family history should start at 45 Monthly testicular selfexamination is recommended for all men above 18 as testicular cancer affects younger age groupsrdquoDr Khan ldquoPSA screening discussions should begin between 45ndash50 depending on risk factors Testicular selfexams should start in adolescence especially for athletes or those with previous groin injuriesrdquoWhat myths fuel delays in diagnosisDr Heroor ldquoMany men believe prostate issues are just part of ageing or that testicular lumps will disappear on their own Others fear diagnosis will affect sexual health In reality modern treatments are effective organpreserving and often curative when detected earlyrdquoDr Khan ldquoSome men assume urinary symptoms are harmless or treatable with home remedies Many fear examinations will be invasive or embarrassing but most evaluations are quick and noninvasiverdquoDo masculinity norms and embarrassment contribute to low awarenessDr Heroor ldquoDefinitely Men hesitate to discuss urinary or reproductive symptomsmdasheven with doctors Cultural expectations to appear lsquostrongrsquo discourage preventive care delaying diagnosis and worsening outcomesrdquoDr Khan ldquoDiscomfort around discussing urinary and reproductive issues leads many men to seek help only when symptoms become severe making treatment more complicatedrdquoHow can society normalise conversations about menrsquos cancer awarenessDr Heroor ldquoWe need open discussions across media workplaces and schoolsmdashjust as wersquove done for womenrsquos cancers Routine health checkup camps awareness drives and inclusion of prostate and testicular cancer in national screening programmes can save livesrdquoDr Khan ldquoNormalisation means treating urology consultations like dental or cardiac checkups Workplace screenings sports clubs and digital campaigns can help men understand that prostate and testicular evaluations are simple preventive stepsrdquo