As of: April 7, 2024, 6:27 a.m
By: Anna-Lena Kiegerl
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The politician and former TV judge Alexander Hold announced his prostate cancer diagnosis. We will explain the symptoms of the disease to you.
Kassel – Alexander Hold, the deputy president of the Bavarian state parliament, suffers from prostate cancer. The 62-year-old Free Voters politician, who was also previously known as a television judge, has now publicly announced this.
According to the German Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the predominant type of cancer among male patients in Germany. In 2017, 62,230 new cases were registered in this country. Older men in particular are affected. But what are the symptoms of the disease and when should you see a doctor?
TV judge Hold has prostate cancer: it mainly affects men over 70
A large number of prostate cancer cases are registered in men aged 70 and over, while the disease is considered rare in men under 50. A challenge with prostate cancer is that it often remains asymptomatic for a long time and grows slowly, often leading to late diagnosis. This is how Prostate Help Germany describes it.
An indicator of the disease can be a rising PSA value, although this can also have harmless reasons. Often the first signs of the disease only become noticeable when the tumor has already reached a significant size and has often already spread to the urethra. In addition, symptoms appear as soon as metastases have manifested themselves in other organs, especially in the bones - which is often associated with pain.
Symptoms don't show up for a long time: This is how you can recognize prostate cancer
The following symptoms can be an indication of prostate cancer (
Source: Prostate Help Germany)
:
Urinary incontinence
Urinary retention: Men can no longer pass urine
Increased urge to urinate – especially at night
Problems starting to urinate
Pain in the prostate area
Urine flow is weak or interrupted
Pain during ejaculation
Blood in urine or ejaculate
Decreased ejaculation
Weak erection or erectile dysfunction
Pain in the lower back: In the lower back with the coccyx and lumbar vertebrae or in the pelvis, hips or thighs
These symptoms are not only indicators of prostate cancer, but can also indicate less serious diseases, such as benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis, or urinary tract infection. This represents a challenge for both those affected and doctors, as differentiating the causes is sometimes complex.
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Nevertheless, Prostate Help Germany strongly recommends that if one or more symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor immediately to clarify the exact cause of the symptoms. It is important to seek medical diagnosis if you experience any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms could be caused by more benign medical conditions.
Prostate cancer diagnosis by Alexander Hold: surgery will be challenging
After his illness was announced, Hold explained: “I was like most people – you suppress the possibility of a serious illness.” 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.
The Free Voters politician Alexander Hold is suffering from prostate cancer. © Imago/Rolf Poss
Due to his illness, he will not be able to make his usual public presence for some time. Nevertheless, he is optimistic about the future. And this is not without reason, as the prospects for a cure for prostate cancer are positive, regardless of the politician's specific diagnosis.
Around 89 percent of those affected are still alive five years after their diagnosis, which corresponds to almost nine out of ten patients. This makes prostate cancer one of the cancers with the second highest survival rate in Germany.