Joe Biden’s prostate cancer: What UAE men must know about signs, risks and early detection

Dubai: In the wake of former US President Joe Biden being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, doctors in the UAE are urging men to take note of the symptoms, understand the risks, and prioritise regular screenings for one of the most common cancers affecting men globally.

The prostate is a gland that produces some of the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Globally, more than 40% of men are estimated to develop prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the fourth most common overall, according to the World Health Organisation.

It starts when cells in the prostate grow abnormally and crowd out normal tissue, said Dr Rishikesh Ramesh Pandya, Consultant UroOncologist and Robotic UroSurgeon t at Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi.

“The tumour grows slowly at first, but as it gets bigger, it can damage nearby tissues, causing pain and other problems. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body. But some are aggressive and have a high chance of spreading to other organs, such as the bones and lymph nodes,” he explained.

Common warning signs

He said the most common signs include difficulty urinating, either dribbling or a weak flow, especially at night, a feeling that you have to urinate more often than usual, pain or burning while urinating and blood in urine or semen.

Warning signs may include erectile dysfunction and pain in the hips, back, or pelvis, said Dr Annu Susan George, Consultant, Medical Oncology, at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Al Qusais in Dubai.

“When it comes to the symptoms to be aware of, prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages,” she pointed out.

Patients should seek medical advice if they experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are over 50 or have a family history of prostate cancer, said Dr Annu.

What causes prostate cancer?

The causes of prostate cancer are not well understood, but researchers have found that certain factors can increase a man’s risk of developing it.

“As men get older, their risk of developing increases. It is more common in men over the age of 50. Eating a diet high in red meat or dairy products may increase your risk. If a close relative has been diagnosed with the condition, you’re at higher risk for developing it yourself. Infection by the sexually transmitted virus HPV can also increase your risk of developing both low-grade and high-grade prostate cancers,” explained Dr Rishikesh.

Lifestyle matters more

Doctors say lifestyle factors, including obesity, low physical activity and smoking may contribute to the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

Dr Annu said there is a noticeable rise in prostate cancer diagnoses across the Gulf. “Contributing factors include increased life expectancy and ageing male population, greater awareness and screening efforts, lifestyle changes such as sedentary habits, obesity, and dietary factors, higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, which may have indirect links.”

According to a study published in the journal BMC Medicine in 2022, every 10cm (four inches) on a man's waist increases his risk of dying from prostate cancer by seven percent. Previous research had suggested that stomach fat could be "more important for aggressive prostate cancer" than overall weight,

Smoking is not a direct cause, but is associated with a higher risk of fatal prostate cancer. Elevated testosterone levels and hormonal imbalances may also influence tumour growth.

Doctors recommend maintaining a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids. This can help reduce both the risk and severity of prostate cancer.

Power of early detection

Doctors here hope that global news coverage about Biden’s diagnosis will help reduce stigma and encourage open dialogue about men’s health. “It will also help raise awareness about the fact that with early detection and timely intervntion, prostate cancer is treatable, even when aggressive,” Dr Annu pointed out.

Early detection is critical in improving the outcomes of prostate cancer treatment, especially in aggressive forms. When identified at an early stage, prostate cancer is highly treatable, often before it has spread beyond the prostate gland.

Dr Rishikesh said prostate cancer is diagnosed by a combination of physical examination, blood tests (such as PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and DRE2-3 (a protein produced by many cancers) and biopsies.

“In aggressive cases, early diagnosis allows for timely, targeted treatment, which significantly improves survival rates and quality of life. PSA testing and digital rectal exams are key tools in early detection,” added Dr Annu.

Apart from their routine checkups, men in UAE can also take advantage of free or discounted prostate screening and ultrasound offered by some hospital groups in every November, which is observed as Movember to raise awareness about men’s health.

Treatment options

When it comes to the treatment options and advanced technologies currently available in the UAE for aggressive prostate cancer, patients have access to a range of advanced treatment options, including robotic-assisted prostatectomy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), hormone therapy and chemotherapy for metastatic disease, and immunotherapy in select cases.
“Modern diagnostic tools like multiparametric MRI and PSMA PET scans enable more precise staging and treatment planning. Robotic surgery and minimally invasive techniques reduce recovery times and improve outcomes,” said Dr Annu.

Dr Rishikesh said radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the prostate gland, including some surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. Open and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgeries are carried out depending on the tumour size and location, age of the patient, and other factors

 “Radiation therapy treats early-stage prostate cancer and advanced cases confined to the prostate. External beam radiation directs high-energy rays at the tumour, while brachytherapy places radioactive seeds inside or near it. Hormone therapy uses drugs like LHRH agonists or antiandrogens to lower testosterone, slowing tumor growth in advanced cancer. Chemotherapy treats metastatic prostate cancer, alone or with other therapies,” he further explained.

Last month, a groundbreaking study conducted by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust revealed that a simple at-home saliva test can more accurately detect aggressive prostate cancer than the standard prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.