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Men: get in the game to fight prostate cancer
 

 
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Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
Psalm 136:1
Finding prostate cancer early can save your life.

In most cases it can be caught early by your physician, even before symptoms develop. The earlier problems are detected, the more likely they can be successfully treated.

Prostate problems are common in men age 50 and older. Doctors who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract (urologists) diagnose and treat prostate problems. The prostate is a small organ found below the male bladder. It produces the fluid in which semen travels.

More than 1.8 million men in the United States are survivors of prostate cancer. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of this disease.

About 90 percent of prostate cancer is diagnosed by a physician in the early stages – usually before symptoms occur. The five-year relative survival rate for all of these men is nearly 100 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. “Early detection and treatment is key,” said Memphis urologist Dr. Mark Saslawsky.

What are the risk factors?
There are several factors that influence a man’s risks to develop prostate cancer. Age, ethnicity, lifestyle factors and family history all play a role in determining the likelihood that prostate cancer will occur, said Eric Fowler, director of genetics at Baptist Centers for Cancer Care.

  • Age: As with most cancers, increasing age is accompanied by increasing odds of a prostate cancer diagnosis. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases dramatically after age 50, and the majority of diagnoses occur after age 65. Prostate cancer is seen in younger men but rarely.
  • Ethnicity: The incidence of prostate cancer in African-American men is 60-70 percent higher than in other ethnic groups. This disparity in risk levels may be caused by differences in genetic, dietary or other unknown risk factors.
  • Lifestyle factors: Research suggests that obesity and diets high in saturated fats may be linked with increased risks to develop prostate cancer. Conversely, certain minerals and micronutrients such as calcium, lycopenes (found in certain fruits and vegetables) and selenium may help to reduce risks.
  • Family history: Having a brother or father with prostate cancer increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. It is estimated that five to 10 percent of all prostate cancers can be attributed to hereditary cancer risks. Researchers have not been able to locate any major prostate cancer susceptibility genes, but in families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, men are more susceptible to prostate malignancies.


What are the signs of prostate problems?

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Difficulty in urinating
  • Difficulty in having an erection
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Frequent pain in the pelvic region
  • Frequent nighttime urination
  • Dribbling of urine
  • Blood in urine or semen

What tests could my doctor order?
Several tests help the doctor identify the problem and decide on the best treatment.

  • Digital rectal exam. This exam is usually the first test done. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the part of the prostate that sits next to it. This exam gives the doctor a general idea of the size and condition of the prostate.
  • Blood test. The doctor may want to test a sample of your blood to look for prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. PSA is a substance produced by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, or infection or inflammation of the prostate.
  • Imaging. The doctor may want to get a picture of your prostate and bladder using either x-rays or sonogram.
  • Urine flow study. You may be asked to urinate into a special device that measures how quickly the urine is flowing.


How is prostate cancer treated?
Each treatment plan is based on whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the prostate (stage of cancer), patient age and general health, and how the patient feels about the treatment options and side effects.

  • Surgery involves taking out the entire prostate and nearby tissues.
  • Radiation implants or brachytherapy involves placing radioactive “seeds” directly into the prostate. This procedure focuses the radiation directly on the cancer and lowers the chance of affecting healthy areas around the prostate.
  • Cryoablation kills the cancer by freezing it.
  • Hormone therapy can stop cancer cells from growing. The growth of prostate cancer often depends on testosterone. Drug treatment is one effective way to block testosterone.
  • Watchful waiting. If the cancer is slow growing and not causing problems, patients may decide not to have treatment right away. Instead, the doctor will watch closely for changes. Men who are older or have another serious illness often choose this option.

The best way to protect your prostate health – and your overall health – is to visit your physician regularly. Working together, you can take charge of your life!

Published: August 24, 2005
Source: Eric Fowler, director of genetics, Baptist Centers for Cancer Care; Mark J. Saslawsky, M.D.; National Institutes of Health; American Cancer Society
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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