Importance of Early Detection

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Early prostate cancer has NO SYMPTOMS. By the time symptoms occur, the disease may have spread beyond the prostate, and be incurable.

When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Difficulty passing urine (these symptoms are most common with BENIGN enlargement of the prostate, and are uncommon with cancer).
• Pain in bones of lower back, hips, or upper thighs (these symptoms are due to advanced disease).

Can prostate cancer be found early, before a man has symptoms?

Yes. This is why we encourage men to have annual physical check ups.

There are two tests that can be used to detect prostate cancer before any symptoms:

• A digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas.
• A PSA exam, which is a simple blood test used to detect a protein made by the prostate called prostate specific antigen.

Together, these tests have increased the early diagnosis of prostate cancer significantly.

How reliable are the tests for prostate cancer?

While PSA is the best test available at present to detect early prostate cancer, it is not perfect. Most men with an elevated reading do not have cancer, and some men with cancer have normal readings. Likewise, the DRE may be normal in men with cancer. The DRE and PSA test together are better than either test alone in detecting prostate cancer. This is why it is important to see a doctor with experience using these tests to decide if further investigations are required.

What should I ask my Doctor about prostate cancer?

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you and your family probably have a lot of questions about the disease and its treatment. Printing out this list and taking it with you to your doctor's office may help you get the answers you need. Be sure to write out the answers, so that you can review the information as often as you like.

• What grade and stage is my prostate cancer?
• How can my prostate cancer be treated?
• Can it be cured?
• What are the advantages or disadvantages of medical, radiation and surgical therapies?
• What are the side effects of:
  • Surgery?
  • Cryotherapy?
  • Radiation?
  • Brachytherapy?
  • Hormonal therapy?
  • Is active surveillance safe?
  • How does one cope with prostate cancer?
  • What if the prostate cancer comes back after my initial treatment?
  • How can I receive more information on prostate cancer?
  • What will my future look like after treatment?
  • Should my family members get screened for prostate cancer?
  • Can I get a second opinion?