No one's talking about ...
Prostate Cancer
Let’s not wait, no time to hesitate, let’s talk all things prostate.
Where and what, is the prostate?
The prostate gland (or prostate) can only found in men, trans women and people assigned male at birth. It is the size of a walnut and lies just beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra tube which passes urine from the bladder. The prostates main function is to produce fluid which protects and supports semen.
Two of the most common prostate problems are an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer. As a man gets older, usually over 50 years of age, his prostate will naturally get bigger and it’s common for men to develop Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) which in turn presents urinary symptoms caused by the enlarged prostate. In fact, 1 in 3 of all men with have symptoms of prostate enlargement throughout their lifetime, which may not necessarily be prostate cancer.
Symptoms
When the prostate enlarges, it begins to block urine flow and therefore the following common signs and symptoms can occur:
• Increased need to urinate • Difficulty urinating • Weak urination flow • The urge to urinate more frequently at night • Dribbling at the end of urination • Inability to completely empty the bladder
Whilst these symptoms could just mean an enlarged prostate, with any of these signs it is important to highlight them early with your doctor as many of these symptoms are the same as those of prostate cancer.
Additional symptoms and signs of prostate cancer can also include:
• Blood in the urine • Difficulty getting an erection • Pain or burning during urination
These symptoms may not occur at first, or ever, as prostate cancer can be slow growing, hence why it is important to contact your doctor early. Cancer can develop when cells start to grow in an uncontrolled way. If this happens in your prostate, you may develop prostate cancer.
With 1 in 8 men developing prostate cancer, it is the second most commonly occurring cancer in men, with one man dying every hour with prostate cancer. These statistics sound scary, but it’s important to note that there is treatment and support that can be provided for prostate cancer, with far greater chance of success if diagnosed early.
Although the exact cause is unclear, certain risk factors can contribute, with it being more common in men over 65, Afro-Caribbean men, those with a high-fat diet, and those with a hereditary link, particularly if a family member develops prostate cancer at a young age.
Diagnosis
Unfortunately, checking for prostate cancer isn’t something you can do for yourself. By visiting a doctor they will be able to make sure you get the right diagnosis. The most common prostate screening tests include:
• A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A blood sample will be checked for unusually high levels of PSA which may indicate prostate infection, inflammation or cancer. This test may be available as an ‘at home’ test for your to purchase privately.
• A digital rectal examination (DRE). An internal rectal exam will allow the doctor to find any abnormalities in the size, shape or texture of the prostate gland.
The benefits and risk associated with each test should be discussed with you in detail by the doctor. After you have had the test, your doctor will take you through the results and potentially refer you to a specialist and/or advise further tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer.
Because the majority of prostate cancers are slow progressing, men may avoid immediate treatment (and potential side effects) while safely undergoing close monitoring of the prostate. Some men with prostate cancer may not actually need any treatment at all.
Treatment options which will be discussed with you may include: surgery, radiotherapy, hormone treatment and less commonly, chemotherapy. All treatment options will be dependable on whether the cancer is localised or at an advanced stage. Treatments can have their own side effects so it is best to speak to your doctor about the risks and benefits of each, even requesting a second opinion.
Living with prostate cancer can affect your everyday life, work and relationships. Many employers offer benefits which can offer support upon the diagnosis of prostate cancer such as cancer support lines, employee assistance programmes or direct referrals with a specialist through your medical insurance.
In the meantime, whilst there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, you can also help reduce the risk by choosing a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and ensuring regular physical activity.
*Rawla P. Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer. World J Oncol. 2019