Awareness, Courage, Recovery—The New Conversation Around Prostate Cancer

November arrives in the Middle East with renewed purpose. Across the region, blue ribbons appear alongside familiar pink ones. Health-care institutions organise awareness sessions, and physicians engage in open conversations that help shift men’s health discussions from fear toward empowerment and early action. 

Prostate cancer remains one of the most treatable malignancies when detected early. Long-term data from high-impact trials show that men with treated, localised disease achieve survival rates exceeding 95 % at 15 years. Early detection transforms outcomes and empowers men to take control of their health.

We sat down with Dr Khalil Hetou to ask him the most common questions about prostate cancer. He is a fellowship-trained urologic oncologist at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare. He is providing advanced minimally invasive care for patients with urologic cancers. With hundreds of prostate cancer surgeries behind him, he brings practical experience and clear, reassuring insight to this conversation.

Q: Dr Hetou, do early-stage prostate cancers cause symptoms?

A: Most early prostate cancers do not cause symptoms. That’s why regular screening is so important—men shouldn’t wait for warning signs but should prioritise proactive checks.

Q: What are the later symptoms?

A: When prostate cancer progresses, men may notice urinary changes, blood in the urine or semen, or bone pain. These symptoms typically appear in advanced stages of disease, underscoring the importance of early detection for effective treatment and an improved quality of life.

Q: What’s your advice on Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening?

A: The American Urological Association recommends that men start talking to their doctor about PSA screening at age 45. PSA is a simple blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen. A protein that is normally produced by the prostate in specific amounts. Men at higher risk—such as those with a family history of prostate cancer—should have this conversation even earlier, around age 40–45.

If a man’s PSA is higher than expected, your doctor may order an MRI scan of the prostate. Based on the PSA and MRI results, a biopsy may be recommended.

Q: What is the best approach for managing prostate cancer?

A: Prostate cancer is a complex disease with many aspects that need careful evaluation, which is why a multidisciplinary approach is considered best. Urologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, and supportive care teams each bring essential expertise. When they work together, patients receive more accurate assessments, personalised treatment plans, and better long-term outcomes.

Q: Where should patients seek care?

A: If a patient is confirmed to have prostate cancer, it is essential to seek treatment at a specialised centre of excellence. These centres handle high patient volumes and consistently deliver superior outcomes. Concentrated expertise reduces complications and improves functional outcomes, cancer control, and follow-up care. Both the hospital’s experience and the surgeon’s experience make a significant difference.

Q: What role does surgical experience play?

A: If, after a multidisciplinary assessment, surgery is determined to be the best option, the patient should choose an experienced surgeon. High-volume Surgeons tend to get the best results. Their patients usually have fewer complications, better cancer control, and a smoother recovery of urinary function. Robotic surgery is beneficial, but the most crucial factors are the surgeon's experience and skill, as well as the team's expertise.

Q: Are men in the Middle East becoming more proactive about getting tested?

A: Yes—awareness programs encourage PSA checks and engagement with multidisciplinary teams. With modern imaging, biopsies, and precise treatments, men have more options and optimism than ever before.

Q: What is your message to men considering screening?

A: Screening is an act of courage, strength, and responsibility. Early detection means peace of mind, longevity, and better health. Men are increasingly taking charge—choosing screening is a powerful step.