Prostate cancer is a cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize (spread) from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms. In later stages it can lead to difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or pain in the pelvis, back or when urinating. A disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar symptoms. Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low levels of red blood cells.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It usually progresses slowly, and many men have no symptoms.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It usually progresses slowly, and many men have no symptoms. If the cancer has not spread outside of the prostate, treatment may not be necessary. If it has spread, there are treatments that can reduce symptoms or extend life for some time.
If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you’re concerned about prostate problems for any other reason, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include frequent urination, urgency or pain during urination, trouble starting or stopping a stream of urine, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain or discomfort during ejaculation.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Frequent urination
- Urgency or pain during urination
- Trouble starting or stopping a stream of urine
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain or discomfort during ejaculation.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. It’s important to remember that there can be other causes for these symptoms. Prostate cancer isn’t always the cause, especially when symptoms appear early in the course of the disease. If you’re concerned about prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk for developing it and what you can do about it.
Some men have an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. You’re at higher risk as you get older, with most cases occurring after age 50. In very rare cases, a man under 50 may develop prostate cancer. Also, African-American men are more likely than men of other races to develop prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from the disease.
Most people who develop prostate cancer have one or more of the following risk factors:
Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially after age 50. Most cases occur in men over 65.
Race. African-American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from this disease than white men. However, it isn’t clear why this racial difference exists. Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino men have a lower risk for developing and dying from the disease than do non-Hispanic whites or African Americans.
Family history. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles your risk of developing this disease yourself, although most cases occur in families without any known history of the disease. If several members of your family have had prostate cancer, you may be at higher risk for getting it yourself. But if only one member of your family had it, the increased risk is small unless that person was diagnosed before age 55 (in which case your lifetime chance of getting it rises to about 15%).
Religious background can also affect your chances for developing and dying from prostate cancer as well as other cancers such as lung, breast, colon and rectal cancers because religious practice might influence lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol use; reproductive history including earlier onset menstruation (which has been linked to breast cancer), earlier childbirth (which has been linked to cervical cancer) and fewer pregnancies; might promote early diagnosis (or delay seeking medical help); nutritional practices; occupational exposure to carcinogens; exercise patterns; stress management styles; hygiene practices; hormonal milieu including obesity levels compared with leaner individuals who eat less red meat but more vegetables contain lower levels of testosterone which can result in reduced rates of aggression which can then reduce likelihood that a male would engage in aggressive behaviors such as smoking or drinking excessively leading to reduced risks for cancers such as lung breast colon rectal pancreas kidney brain esophagus larynx stomach leukemia lymphoma non Hodgkin’s melanoma
Treatments vary depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it’s low-risk or high-risk. Conditions that can help improve survival rates are an early diagnosis and testing for PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels in the blood.
To diagnose prostate cancer, you’ll need to have a blood test to check the level of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in your blood and a digital rectal exam. If those results are abnormal, you’ll need a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells. To perform the biopsy, your doctor will use an ultrasound probe inserted into your rectum to guide a needle through the wall of your rectum and collect small samples from around your prostate gland.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, additional tests may be done to determine how severe it is and help plan treatment options. This includes:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – where radio waves and strong magnetic fields produce cross-sectional images of parts of the body
- Computed tomography (CT) scan – where x-rays are taken from different angles and combined by computer to produce detailed cross-sectional images
- Bone scan – where you’re injected with a radioactive substance that collects in areas of increased bone turnover, such as areas affected by cancer spread
The stage of prostate cancer can be grouped into three categories: localised, locally advanced or metastatic.
Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies also may show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people. Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are research studies that test how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies also may show which medical approaches work best for certain illnesses or groups of people. Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment.
Clinical trials offer hope for many people and an opportunity to help scientists find better treatments for cancer in the future. Some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment. Other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better. There are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring (coming back) or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country for most types of cancer. Most doctors who treat prostate cancer know about ongoing clinical trials, and many participate in them. Clinical trial information is available from NCI at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).
Testing is important so see your doctor regularly
In most cases, prostate cancer grows slowly and can be effectively treated. However, if left undetected, it can grow outside the prostate or spread to other areas of the body. In some cases, this cancer can be life threatening. Regular testing is important because early detection almost always results in easier treatment and better outcomes for patients. Doctors usually recommend that men have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test when they are around age 50, but men at high risk for developing prostate cancer may need to have testing earlier than this. Men over age 50 should talk with their doctors about the benefits and risks of testing so that they make an informed decision about whether it is right for them.
You should see your doctor regularly to discuss your risk factors for developing prostate cancer and possible prevention strategies, including lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise; regular screening tests; and medications known as chemoprevention agents that may reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer by lowering levels of testosterone or changing its metabolism in your body.