Every year, November is recognised as Men’s Health Month, drawing attention to men’s physical and mental health and raising awareness of the importance of preventive health checks. In Latvia, men in certain age groups are encouraged to undergo preventive prostate screening, which is fully funded by the state. Why is this important? Regular screening helps confirm that everything is in order with one’s health. If any concerning changes are detected, treatment can be started in a timely manner, improving the chances of successful recovery, reminds the National Health Service (NHS).
Prostate screening involves a blood test carried out in a laboratory. It is recommended every two years for all men aged 50 to 75. If a blood relative has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, preventive screening is also recommended for men aged 45 to 50. To undergo the test, men should contact their family doctor’s practice, where they will receive a referral to a laboratory for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
“We encourage men to take care of their health and make time for these important tests. This is an effective and time-tested method of checking whether everything is in order with their health. If the test results indicate that further examinations are necessary and a diagnosis is made, treatment can be started in a timely manner. It is important to detect changes early and prevent the disease from progressing,” explains Alda Reinika, Director of the Medical Treatment Services Department at the National Health Service.
The family doctor’s appointment, blood sample collection and laboratory testing are fully covered by the state budget, meaning patients do not have to pay for them. Last year, 75.2% of men in the target group - more than 110 000 people - underwent prostate screening. During the first six months of this year, 43.5% of the target group - more than 63 000 men - had already taken part in the screening.
Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumours among men in Latvia. The risk of developing the disease doubles if a relative has had prostate cancer. If two close relatives have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the risk increases as much as ninefold. The screening age groups associated with an increased risk of developing the disease have been established based on the guidelines of professional medical associations and the European Commission.
More information about state-funded prostate screening and how to access it is available on the National Health Service website www.vmnvd.gov.lv under the section “Prostatas profilaktiskā pārbaude”.