What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland about the size and shape of a walnut. The prostate makes and stores a component of semen and is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder. If the prostate grows too large, the flow of urine can be slowed or stopped. Women do not have a prostate.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the leading form of cancer diagnosed in men. One out of 5.5 Alberta men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime (Alberta Cancer Board, 2006). In Canada prostate cancer caused 4,200 deaths in 2006 making it the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men. (Canadian Cancer Statistics 2006)
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.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
All men are at risk. The most common risk factor is age. More than 70 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year are over the age of 65. The risk is highest in African American men, and lowest in Oriental men. Dramatic differences in the incidence of prostate cancer are also seen in different countries, and there is some evidence that a diet higher in fat, especially animal fat, may account for some of these differences. Family history is also important, with the risk increasing if a father has the disease. This is especially true if the cancer is diagnosed in a man under 60 years of age. The risk of prostate cancer rises with the number of close relatives who have the disease.
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 enlargment 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 can be used to detect prostate cancer in the before any symptoms:
A digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas.
PSA 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 Dr 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 treated?
· Can it be cured?
· What are the advantages or disadvantages of both medical, radiation and surgical
therapies?
· What are the side effects of:
o Surgery?
o Cryotherapy?
o Radiation?
o Brachytherapy?
o Hormonal therapy?
· Is watchful waiting 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?
