Prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among men in the United States, second only to skin cancer. When it comes to combating it, awareness is key. Educated patients are empowered to make the best decisions regarding prostate cancer screening. In this blog post, Richmond University Medical Center presents ten important facts that every man should know about prostate cancer risks, common misconceptions, and the importance of early detection.
Prostate Cancer Is Common
Many patients carry the false assumption that prostate cancer, like some other types of cancer, is rare. In fact, prostate cancer is quite common. One in eight men is diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime. Incidence rates are also rising, with a 3% increase annually since 2014. While individual men’s risk may vary, every man has a chance of developing cancer.
An Enlarged Prostate Does Not Always Mean Cancer
Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a benign condition that causes an increase in prostate size. BPH is not cancerous, nor does it increase a person’s risk of cancer. It can, however, increase the likelihood that prostate cancer will be found in a patient who already has it. This is because medical tests for BPH can also detect prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Risks Run In Families
Having a family history of prostate cancer, especially in first-degree relatives, can put a person at greater risk. Patients are twice as likely to get prostate cancer if their father had it, four times more likely if their brother had it, and eight times more likely if both their father and brother had it. There is an ethnic tie, too. African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer, and one in four of them will be diagnosed at some point in their lifetime.
Prostate Cancer Can Be Asymptomatic
Many men assume that they would know if they had prostate cancer, but this is not always the case. Prostate cancer grows slowly and often “silently.” Some men present symptoms of prostate cancer, which can include:
- Frequent urges to urinate
- A weak or interrupted urine flow
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain or burning sensations while urinating
- Blood in urine or semen
- Sudden onset of erectile dysfunction
- Painful ejaculation
- Decreased volume of ejaculation
- Bone pain in the lower back, hips, or thighs
- Unexpected weight changes
Most men, however, have no symptoms at all. For the average patient, prostate cancer causes no perceivable changes, making it difficult to detect without a cancer screening test.
Colonoscopies Cannot Detect Prostate Cancer
Colonoscopies are the patient’s most powerful tool for detecting colon cancer and other conditions of the colon. They do not work for other types of cancer. Unless prostate cancer has already spread into the colon, a colonoscopy cannot detect prostate cancer, nor does a clean colonoscopy mean that a patient is free of prostate cancer.
Proactivity Pays
While prostate cancer typically grows slowly, it can still metastasize or spread to new parts of the body. In addition, as life expectancies grow longer, prostate cancer metastasis becomes more and more likely. Once cancer has metastasized, it becomes much more difficult to treat. Early detection is the best way to ensure a favorable outcome from prostate cancer treatment. For this reason, men are encouraged to be proactive about getting tested to reduce their risk of a poor prognosis.
PSA Levels Are Patient-Specific
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is the standard screening tool for prostate cancer. It works by measuring a patient’s level of PSA, a naturally occurring protein that cancerous cells produce in greater quantities. Test results are compared against the patient’s normal range. Different men have different baseline PSA levels depending on their age and other changeable factors, so it is important for men to be aware of what is normal for them.
Treatment Options Are Improving
Recent decades, and the last few years in particular, have seen dramatic advances in prostate cancer treatment. Researchers are developing new and improved therapies, such as:
- Chemotherapy with reduced side effects
- Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
- High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy
- High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
- Robotic surgery
- Targeted therapy
These treatments achieve better results than ever before. Overall, survivability is very good and increasing, and the disease is highly curable. New treatments also allow men to maintain a higher quality of life during and after treatment, including full urinary control and sexual function.
Healthy Lifestyles Reduce Risk
While any man can develop prostate cancer, men can take steps to reduce their risk. Healthy lifestyle choices that help to prevent cancer include:
- Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables
- Engaging in regular exercise
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Refraining from smoking
- Consuming alcohol only in moderation
Patients should also be screened for prostate cancer regularly. Men at average risk should get a PSA test at age 45 to establish a baseline, then be tested every one to two years after age 50. Prostate cancer screening ensures that cancer is detected early enough to ensure a successful treatment.
Access Prostate Cancer Care at Richmond University Medical Center
Prostate cancer awareness is key to prevention and early detection. Richmond University Medical Center offers a wide range of cancer services, including patient education, PSA screenings, and personalized treatment plans. Our team delivers high-quality care for patients in the Staten Island, New York, area. To learn more about prostate cancer risks or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
