Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a man's prostate. The prostate sits just below the bladder. It makes part of the fluid for semen. In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. It usually grows larger as you grow older. Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65. It usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. Most cases are treatable, if found with screening tests before the cancer spread to other parts of the body. Although most men may die with prostate cancer, most men do not die from it. Experts don't know what causes prostate cancer, but they believe that your age, family history (genetics), and race affect your chances of getting it. Eating a high-fat diet may also play a part.
What are the symptoms?
Prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms in early stages. Most men don't know they have it until it is found during a regular medical exam. When problems are noticed, they are most often problems with urinating. But these same symptoms can also be caused by an enlarged prostate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
See your doctor for a checkup if:
- You have trouble starting your urine stream.
- You have a weaker-than-normal urine stream.
- You cannot urinate at all.
- You have to urinate often.
- You feel like your bladder is not emptying when you urinate.
- You have to get up at night to urinate. You have pain or burning when you urinate.
- You have blood in your urine.
- You have a deep pain in your lower back, belly, hip, or pelvis.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
The most common way to check for prostate cancer is to have a digital rectal exam, in which the doctor puts a gloved, lubricated finger in your rectum to feel your prostate, and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A higher level of PSA may mean that you have prostate cancer, but it could also mean that you have an enlargement or infection of the prostate. If your PSA is high, or if your doctor finds anything in the rectal exam, a biopsy may be required.
Should you have regular tests for prostate cancer?
It is important to have regular health checkups, including a digital rectal exam specially if you are older than 45.
How is prostate cancer treated?
Your treatment will depend on what kind of cancer cells you have, how far they have spread, your age and general health, and your preferences. You and your doctor may decide to treat your cancer with surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or a combination. If the cancer has not spread and you are around age 70 or older, you may be able to wait and watch to see what happens. During watchful waiting, you will have regular checkups with your doctor to see if your cancer has changed.
How can treatment affect your quality of life?
Both surgery and radiation can cause urinary incontinence (not being able to control urination) or impotence (not being able to have an erection). Nerves that help man have erection are next to the prostate. Surgery to remove cancer may damage them. Many times a special form of surgery, called nerve-sparing surgery, can be used to try to avoid damaging the nerves. But if the cancer has spread to the nerves, they may have to be removed during surgery. These same nerves can also be damaged by the X-rays that are used in radiation therapy. Drugs and mechanical aids may help men who are impotent because of treatment. Many men recover their ability to have erection several months after surgery.