Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States. While it’s common, though, it’s actually very treatable because it grows slowly.
This year, nearly 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. That number includes more than 9,600 cases in Georgia alone.
That’s a lot of new cases, but there’s some good news: When detected in a localized or regional stage, prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of 99 percent. That means that cancer detected when it’s either limited to the prostate or has only spread to nearby parts of the body or lymph nodes is very treatable and survivable.
The key to finding prostate cancer in these stages? Recognizing the symptoms and undergoing routine screenings as advised by a medical provider.
The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when cancerous cells develop in the prostate gland, part of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland, which is located just below the bladder, is responsible for making the fluid portion of semen.
As it first begins to develop, prostate cancer does not usually cause any noticeable symptoms. Over time, though, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms, including:
- A weakened urine stream
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- More frequent urination
- Pain in the hips, back, chest, or pelvis
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Sudden urges to urinate
- Unexplainable weight loss
Many of these symptoms can also be caused by less-serious health conditions, including an enlarged prostate. Because they can be related to prostate cancer, however, it’s best to always have unusual symptoms checked out by a medical provider.
Understanding your risk of prostate cancer
Wondering whether you’re at risk of developing prostate cancer? If you have a prostate, the answer is yes. Every man is at some risk of the disease, but your risk may be higher depending on other factors.
For one, prostate cancer is most common among men who are age 50 or older. Your risk increases as you get older. Other risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Being African American
- Eating a diet high in dairy products and other foods with calcium
- Having a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer
- Having certain genetic mutations
- Having high testosterone
You may also be at a higher risk of developing all types of cancer, including prostate cancer, if you’re obese, if you smoke, or if you’re exposed to certain chemicals, such as arsenic.
If you have any risk factors for prostate cancer, talk with your medical provider at your next checkup about whether you should be screened and other steps you can take to lower your risk.
How prostate cancer is diagnosed & treated
Many cases of prostate cancer don’t cause symptoms, which is why your medical provider may recommend prostate cancer screening. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men ages 55 to 69 talk with a provider about whether they’d benefit from screening.
That guideline is for those at average risk of the disease. If you have risk factors, it’s worth talking with a provider at a younger age about whether to be screened.
Prostate cancer screening includes two tests—a digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. During a DRE, a medical provider manually palpates the prostate to check for abnormalities, while PSA testing looks for the amount of PSA in the blood.
If these tests indicate you may have prostate cancer, a biopsy will be used to test a sample of the prostate tissue for cancer. This is the only way to conclusively diagnose prostate cancer.
If you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are now many different treatment options. Because this type of cancer is usually slow growing, your treatment plan, particularly if you’re older, may include only observation.
Observation is exactly what it sounds like—observing the behavior of the cancer over time. If observation is recommended, it may include “watchful waiting,” which doesn’t provide treatment unless symptoms develop, and “active surveillance,” which relies on regular testing to determine if cancer has advanced and requires treatment.
A prostate cancer treatment plan may also include surgery, radiation therapy (external beam and brachytherapy), hormone therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of multiple therapies.
Your oncologist can recommend a treatment plan that’s best for your specific needs, including your overall health and other factors. Your treatment plan may also include medications to help you cope with the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Learn more
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer, the Cancer Services team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center is here to help. Call 770-525-5349 or click here to learn more.