The first Prostate Early Detection Day, organized by the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ) in collaboration with the patient organization Europa Uomo, offered valuable insights into the importance of early detection and the various treatment options for prostate cancer.
The event was aimed specifically at men to raise their awareness of the importance of timely screening and to support them in making the best possible treatment decisions.
Max Lippuner, President of Europa Uomo Switzerland, emphasized the role of PROMS (Patient Reported Outcome Measures) and the importance of structured patient pathways. These not only help to optimize treatment, but also encourage patient engagement. "Patient engagement is important on different levels, be it emotional, informational or systemic," he explained, emphasizing that patients can make a positive contribution by sharing with each other. In addition, Max Lippuner emphasized the need to establish a population-based, organized screening program for prostate cancer in order to enable broad and systematic early detection. Both the Swiss Society of Urology and the European Society of Urology supported this request.
"Go for early detection!"
Prof. Daniel Eberli, Director of the Department of Urology at the USZ, explained various available tests, including
PSA,
Stockholm 3 and
MRI, which are available in Switzerland and enable a more precise diagnosis. These procedures can significantly reduce the risk of serious illness if they are carried out regularly. Eberli appealed to the audience: "Go for early detection from 50, or from 45 if you have a family history," and spoke out in favour of an organized, national screening program that provides patients with targeted information and support.
Focus on quality of life
Prof. Matthias Guckenberger, Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ, emphasized that not every prostate cancer needs to be treated immediately. "If the cancer is not very aggressive, you can safely observe it. You can save on surgery and radiotherapy without taking a higher risk," he explained, advocating an individual treatment strategy that focuses on the patient's quality of life. Active monitoring can be a gentler option for many patients in order to minimize the burden of treatment. "If treatment is necessary for a more aggressive tumor, then unfortunately still too few patients are informed about radiotherapy as an equivalent alternative to surgery. Patients need to be given open advice so that they can find the best treatment for their individual situation."
The 1st Prostate Early Detection Day - with over 100 participants at the University of Zurich - was an event that raised awareness of the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. The speakers agreed that well-founded information for patients and a well-structured treatment pathway are essential so that those affected can make independent and informed decisions about their health.
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Picture: from left to right: Martin C. Schumacher, Max Lippuner, Matthias Guckenberger, Estrina Stalder, Dominik Menges, Daniel Eberli
