Myth: Sex is a determinant for prostrate cancer — Medical expert speaks

A trainee doctor at the Federal Medical Center in Abeokuta named Olutoke Abraham has spoken out against the myth that low levels of sexual activity can lead to prostate cancer.

Abraham made it clear that this cancer is more likely to happen to African men aged 50 and upwards. He also said that smoking and being overweight are two other things that have been linked to a higher risk of getting prostate cancer.

He spoke at a medical service event for sellers at the Tarmac Phone Village in Abeokuta that was put together by the Rotary Club.

He said that studies show that prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in Nigerian men and makes up 11% of all male cancers. Because of this, men should get regular checkups to help find the disease early.

He said, “There is this general myth that reduced s*xual activity or increased s*xual activity is a contributor to prostate cancer occurring in an individual.

“That is not true, neither of the two will cause prostate cancer in an individual.

“Rather, age, smoking and obesity have been linked to the increased likelihood of having prostate cancer.

“We have quite a number of men living with this cancer; the risk factor says men above the age of 50 years of African ancestry, and that is what we have here in Nigeria.”

The resident doctor of community medicine encouraged middle-aged men to cultivate the habit of regularly visiting the hospital for checkups, saying that there is reduced patronage of hospitals by men compared to women.

“Studies have shown that women readily have better health-seeking behaviour than men.

“Men, because of so many reasons, forget to take care of themselves at the expense of taking care of other people and trying to make money to care for their family and loved ones.

“Yes, there is a reduced patronage of hospitals by men compared to women, so men should take care of themselves,” he added.

He recommended that middle-aged men should have their blood pressure, blood sugar, and prostate-specific antigen examined to see whether their prostate is still in a minimum or malignant form to determine how much it has grown.

Abraham argued that if detected on time, it can be operated to prevent spread to the bones, spine, and other organs.