November is traditionally dedicated to men and their health. During this month, many men grow a moustache as a symbol of support for a global charity initiative to raise awareness of the prevention of prostate cancer and other serious diseases in men.
According to the Czech Statistical Office, nearly 8,000 men fall ill with prostate cancer every year, one in six of them dies. The screening test, which was introduced in the 50+ population in January this year, has already been passed by 60,000 VZP clients.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer. Its early detection of prostate cancer, before the tumor begins to metastasize, gives the patient a high chance of a complete recovery. According to the available data from the Czech Health Insurance Fund, the number of men with prostate cancer is increasing every year. Last year, 50,000 men were treated with this diagnosis, i.e. 36 % more than in 2014. The total cost of treatment reached CZK 2.5 billion, the highest in the past 10 years.
Treatment with prostate cancer (VZP ČR)
| Year | Number of VZP insured persons | Cost of treatment in thousands. CZK* |
| 2014 | 36 840 | 944 719 |
| 2015 | 38 595 | 999 104 |
| 2016 | 40 302 | 1 231 191 |
| 2017 | 41 813 | 1 399 770 |
| 2018 | 43 333 | 1 527 799 |
| 2019 | 45 056 | 1 557 336 |
| 2020 | 44 925 | 1 746 773 |
| 2021 | 45 442 | 1 752 546 |
| 2022 | 47 377 | 2 127 379 |
| 2023 | 49 371 | 2 430 645 |
Prostate Cancer Screening
In January this year, a population-based early detection programme for prostate cancer was launched, organised by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. The programme is aimed at men aged 50 to 69 years (inclusive), who can be referred to it by their GP or, for example, by their treating urologist who is monitoring them for other health problems. It is these doctors who should explain in detail the purpose of the programme to patients and instruct them on the examination process. Based on this, the patient will then decide whether to take part in the programme. In the eight months that the programme has been running, 60 000 VZP clients have already taken part in this preventive examination.
If the result is favourable (low PSA levels in the blood), the man is invited by the attending physician for a follow-up (blood sampling) in two or four years. If the PSA level is higher than the set value, the urologist takes over the client's care. The urologist performs follow-up examinations such as sonography. On the basis of the results of these follow-up examinations, the next course of action is determined according to Methodology of the population-based pilot programme for early detection of prostate cancer in the Czech Republic of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. If a diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, the patient is referred to the specialist care of a cancer centre.
VZP/ gnews - RoZ
PHOTO - fivegoodfriends.com.au
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