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One In Five American Men Will Develop Prostate Cancer During HIs Lifetime.

That's a sobering statistic, but according to the American Cancer Society, it's the truth. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men, and increasing age is the single largest risk factor for developing the disease. A family history of prostate cancer or African American heritage can double, even triple, your risk of developing the disease. A highfat diet also doubles your risk. The thing is, no one knows for sure what causes prostate cancer, and with the exception of cutting back on the fat in your diet, there's nothing you can do about the other factors that can put you at risk of developing this potentially deadly disease. However, there is something you can do to increase your chance of surviving.

Early Detection

The American Cancer Society says that nearly all of the men whose prostate cancer is detected before it spreads will survive – but early detection is largely up to you. You need to get the facts about prostate cancer and how it can affect you, and you need to have regular prostate health exams.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, which carries urine, and its primary function is to provide the fluid that carries sperm cells. As men age, they may experience symptoms such as frequent urination, especially at night. This can be a sign of cancer, or of a condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is an excess growth of the inner part of the prostate. Other symptoms men might experience include difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, and/or bone pain, especially in the back or upper thighs. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should call your physician immediately – only a physician can diagnose whether you have prostate cancer.

Who Needs Prostate Health Screenings?

If you're a man over the age of 40, you should have a digital rectal exam every year, and if you're over 50 (over 40 for African American men or those with a family history of prostate cancer), you should also have a prostate specific antigen PSA, blood test every year. Many men don't like the idea of having these tests; in fact, men in general don't like going to the doctor at all. But, early detection of prostate cancer will give men more treatment options and a better cure rate.

How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?

Several different tests can be used to detect prostate cancer – the first is a digital rectal exam. This is a quick, painless exam during which a physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the size and shape of the prostate. Mentioned earlier, the common blood test for prostate cancer measures levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), a protein from the prostate gland found in the bloodstream. High PSA levels can be a sign of cancer. If cancer is suspected after these tests, a physician may perform an ultrasound-guided biopsy to obtain small tissue samples that will be checked for the presence of cancerous cells. This test gives the most definitive diagnosis.

And if it's Cancer?

Depending on the stage of the cancer, and on the health and age of the individual patient, there are a number of options:

Radical Prostatectomy: The surgical removal of the prostate and surrounding tissues. This is generally performed if the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland. Possible side effects may include incontinence and/or impotence.

Brachytherapy: Tiny radioactive pellets are implanted in the prostate. They emit radiation for a period of weeks, then become inert. Seed implantation has a survival rate similar to that of surgical removal of the prostate, but greatly lessens the chances of side effects such as incontinence and impotence. Temporary side effects can include fatigue, skin reactions, and frequent and/or painful urination.

External Beam Radiation Therapy: High energy X-rays are used to shrink and kill cancer cells. A series of treatments is given over a period of six to eight weeks, and possible temporary side effects include fatigue, skin reactions, and frequent and/or painful urination.

Hormone Therapy: Testosterone fuels prostate cancer, so decreasing the amount of testosterone in the system can slow tumor growth and even kill cancer cells. Treatment includes an infrequent injection that shuts down production of testosterone. Often, hormone therapy is used before, during and after other primary methods of treating prostate cancer.

Watchful Waiting: Sometimes, a physician may suggest a “wait and see” approach. Basically, this means that, for the moment, it is best to continue monitoring the cancer before deciding on a course of treatment.

Chemotherapy: In advanced stages of prostate cancer, anti-cancer drugs may be administered to kill off cancer cells. These drugs are administered at the proper dosage and frequency to avoid killing too many healthy cells.

The Men's Prostate Health Center at Mather Hospital is here to help.

Created in 1998, the Men's Prostate Health Center at Mather Hospital offers hospital based screenings as well as prostate screenings at the workplace. The Center serves as a resource for information and education concerning prostate health, and offers screenings and referrals for prostate care. The Men's Prostate Health Center at Mather Hospital is under the direction of Eileen Swieczkowski, RN. She is a Certified Oncology Nurse.

If you have any questions about prostate cancer or prostate healthcare, call us at: 631-476-2776