October 19, 2022
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer other than skin cancer in the United States, with one in eight American men being diagnosed with it during their lifetime. Fortunately, there are easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting prostate cancer that will also improve your overall health. But for those who are diagnosed with it, the five-year relative survival rate is greater than 99 percent if the cancer is caught before it spreads away from the prostate.
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen.
The prostate tends to grow larger with age. If it gets too large, however, it can cause health issues.
The prostate tends to grow larger with age. If it gets too large, however, it can cause health problems such as having to urinate frequently, especially at night; difficulty starting or producing a constant stream during urination; and high levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, in the blood.
Other symptoms include pain during urination or ejaculation, blood in the urine, and having frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal areas, or upper thighs.
A common prostate problem is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Common in older individuals, it means the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous. BPH can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms and can cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems. Treatments for it include medications, surgery, microwave therapy, and laser therapy.
Another common prostate problem is prostatitis. Treatments for it may involve medicines, surgery, and lifestyle changes.
Prostate cancer is a condition in which prostate cells grow out of control — to the point that they can spread to other parts of the body if the disease isn’t treated. The most common risk factor for it is age, although African Americans and people with family histories of prostate cancer have an increased risk of getting and dying from the disease.
Fortunately, prostate cancer isn’t very aggressive. Many people experienced no symptoms from it, especially if it hasn’t spread beyond the prostate. Additionally, roughly 96% of all people diagnosed with it are alive five years after their diagnosis.
Annual PSA tests for men over 50 or at high risk for prostate cancer used to be recommended, but the guidance on screenings has changed in recent years. PSA tests still are recommended for people experiencing symptoms of prostate problems and for people who have been treated for prostate cancer to gauge the effectiveness of the treatments.
People who have high PSA levels, or PSA levels that have risen sharply, may be given biopsies. In these, a doctor removes small tissue samples from several areas of the prostate and examines them for cancer cells.
When prostate cancer is slow-growing, confined to the prostate, and not causing any painful symptoms, one way to deal with it is active surveillance. This involves getting screenings, scans, and, biopsies once every three years to monitor its growth. Watchful waiting, used in older patients, is similar, but involves less frequent testing and more of a focus on symptom management.
Treatments for cancers believed to be confined to the prostate include two forms of radiation therapy: brachytherapy, which involves putting radioactive seeds in the prostate; and external beam radiation therapy, in which the tumor is targeted with X-rays. Another treatment is prostate removal, which is called a prostatectomy.
For cancer that has spread outside the prostate, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy are possible treatments.
The best way to avoid prostate cancer is to reduce your risk of getting it. This includes exercising most days of the week; maintaining a healthy weight; and choosing a low-fat diet that’s not loaded with dairy products and includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you are experiencing any symptoms that could be indicative of a prostate problem, make an appointment with your doctor.
