What Is Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the leading form of cancer diagnosed in men.

The Canadian Cancer Society reports that in 2009:

• An estimated 25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,400 will die of it.
• On average, 490 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every week.
• On average, 85 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every week.

If diagnosed early, prostate cancer may be curable. Even when the disease is advanced, treatment can eradicate symptoms, and prolong survival. Survival rates for prostate cancer have been improving for the last four years perhaps due to the importance that is placed on early detection.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. The body is made of billions of cells (like building blocks). The cells are replaced over time by dividing and forming new healthy cells. This is done in an organized and controlled fashion. If a cell changes and becomes abnormal (mutates), the control and organization is lost, and the cells grow rapidly, forming a growth (tumor). These growths may be benign (not cancers), or malignant (cancer).

Benign growths in the prostate (BPH) cause the gland to swell, which compresses the water passage (urethra), making it difficult to urinate. These changes are common in older men, but are not life threatening.

A malignant tumor (cancer) invades and destroys surrounding tissue. These cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body (metastasize), where they grow and form new tumors.

What are the symptoms of Prostate cancer?

Most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms.

More advanced cancers may cause symptoms due to invasion in the prostate area, causing problems with urination, bleeding, or inability to urinate. These symptoms are most common with BENIGN enlargement of the prostate, and should not be confused with cancer. If the cancer spreads, it most commonly invades bone. This may cause bone pain, most commonly in the lower back and pelvis.

What causes prostate cancer?

We do not know the cause of prostate cancer. Some factors may increase the risk:

• Family history of prostate cancer
• Family history of Breast or Bowel cancer
• African race
• High fat diet

Many men with none of these risk factors develop prostate cancer.