As of: April 6, 2024, 7:55 a.m
By: Anna-Lena Kiegerl
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Former TV judge Alexander Hold is suffering from prostate cancer. But what are the symptoms and when should you see a doctor?
Frankfurt – The Bavarian state parliament vice-president of the Free Voters and former TV judge Alexander Hold is suffering from prostate cancer. The 62-year-old has now officially announced this. In Germany, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, reports the German Cancer Society. In 2017, 62,230 new cases were diagnosed. Older men are particularly affected. But how do you recognize the disease and what should you pay attention to?
Politician and judge Alexander Hold suffers from prostate cancer - symptoms often remain undetected for a long time
Most new cases of prostate cancer occur, especially in men aged around 70 and over. However, the disease is rare in people under 50 years of age. The problem: The cancer often shows no symptoms for a long time and mostly grows slowly, which means it is often only detected late. Prostate Help Germany explains this. Accordingly, a rising PSA value often provides evidence of an illness. However, this can also have harmless causes.
The first symptoms often only appear when the malignant tumor is already larger - but by then it has often already spread to the urethra. Symptoms can also be felt if metastases have formed in other organs; bone metastases and the associated pain are particularly common here.
Symptoms of prostate cancer: Disease often only becomes apparent when the tumor is larger
These symptoms can indicate prostate cancer (
Source: Prostate Help Germany)
:
Increased urge to urinate – especially at night
Problems starting to urinate
Urine flow is weak or interrupted
Urinary incontinence
Urinary retention: Men can no longer pass urine
Pain during ejaculation
Blood in urine or ejaculate
Pain in the prostate area
Pain in the lower back: In the lower back with the coccyx and lumbar vertebrae or in the pelvis, hips or thighs
Weak erection or erectile dysfunction
Decreased ejaculation
These symptoms are not only characteristic of prostate cancer and can also indicate less dangerous conditions. Examples of this are benign prostate enlargement, prostate inflammation or a urinary tract infection. This is a problem – both for men and for doctors, as the distinction is difficult. Nevertheless, Prostate Help Germany advises: “Always see your doctor promptly if you notice one or more of these signs! He will find out what the actual reason for your symptoms is.” To be on the safe side, you should always consult a doctor if you have any symptoms, even if they could be harmless illnesses.
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Former TV judge has prostate cancer: “You suppress the possibility of a serious illness.”
“I was like most people – you suppress the possibility of a serious illness,” explains Hold about his own prostate cancer. His tumor has to be removed in April. “The carcinoma has already grown so close to the neighboring nerves that the operation will be challenging,” said the politician. Because of his illness, he will not be able to show his usual presence for a long time, but he is looking positively into the future.
Alexander Hold has prostate cancer – he has now announced this. © Dpa/Sven Hoppe
And not without reason, because the chances of a cure for prostate cancer are good, regardless of the politician's exact diagnosis. The probability of still living five years after diagnosis is 89 percent, just under 9 out of 10 sufferers. This is the second highest probability of survival among all cancers in Germany.