Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. It is a gland that is close to the urinary system and secretes much of the liquid of semen. It is found under the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer occurs when malignant cells develop in the prostate. Although there is no routine screening for this cancer, there are several different ways that it can be detected:

• Digital Rectal Exam, where the prostate is felt for abnormalities by inserting gloved fingers into the rectum
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test, where the amount of PSA in the blood is measured
• Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS), where sound waves from a small probe create a visual image of the prostate
• Biopsy, where a tissue sample is removed and examined

If cancer is detected, it will likely be graded. The grade tells you how much the cells in the tissue have changed from normal to abnormal. The higher the grade is, the more advanced the cancer is. The stage of cancer indicates how far the cells have spread throughout the body. The stage needs to be known before a treatment plan can be decided.

Prostate Cancer Statistics

Prostate cancer affects approximately 1 out of 6 men. It is the most common cancer that affects men outside of skin cancers. Keeping a close eye on PSA levels can help to detect this cancer, even without warning signs. Thus it is recommended that men begin regular PSA tests from the age of 40 onward.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

Although prostate cancer is relatively rare for men under 50, more than half of all men will likely have some form of the cancer by the age of 80. If a father or brother in a man’s family had prostate cancer, that man’s chances of developing the cancer double. This risk increases if you have several relatives who have had the cancer. The presence of gene mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, linked to breast and ovarian cancer, may also increase prostate cancer risk. African-American men are at the highest risk of developing the cancer.

Common Prostate Cancer Symptoms

The early stages of prostate cancer might not give off any symptoms, but can still be detected through a PSA test. If symptoms do show up, they might include the following:

• Frequent need to urinate
• Trouble while urinating or inability to do so
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary flow that is weak or interrupted
• Urination that burns or is painful
• Blood in semen or the urine (hematuria)
• Painful ejaculation
• Impotence
• Frequent pain in the pelvis, hips, upper thighs, or lower back

Treating Prostate Cancer

Some types of cancer are treated with a prostatectomy, where the prostate is removed, and some radiation therapy. Other treatment options include: