Prostate Cancer Caregiver Podcast Series
We are proud to announce a new podcast series geared toward helping give support, hope and guidance to prostate cancer caregivers. The goal of this Prostate Cancer Caregiver Podcast Series is to help others connect with a diverse group of people who have felt the impact of prostate cancer in their lives and empower them on their journey.
What Are The Symptoms Of Early
The following symptoms may be signs of early-stage prostate cancer.
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Straining or taking too long while urinating
- An interrupted or slow flow of urine
- Feeling that your bladder has not completely emptied
- Discomfort when Urinating
However, as can be seen in the following section, you can see that these heavily overlap with other, very common conditions. Nearly every male over the age of 50 will experience one or more of the above symptoms. So although these symptoms may be present, there is a good chance this does not indicate the presence of early-stage prostate cancer. That is why thorough, rigorous prostate cancer testing is required.
Lower Your Risk For Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a serious disease, but early detection is key. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and when or if you should be screened for prostate cancer sometimes as early as age 40, if youre considered high risk.
Theres no way to eliminate the risk of getting prostate cancer, Dr. Weight says, but if youre at a higher risk for developing the disease, there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
- Get regular prostate screenings.
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The Top 7 Signs Of Advanced Prostate Cancer
In the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms related to prostate cancer. This is why screenings are important. Symptoms can sometimes be noticed for the first time when the cancer advances.
Advanced prostate cancer, also called metastatic cancer, means the cancer has spread to other areas of your body beyond your prostate gland. The most common areas for prostate cancer to spread are your bladder, rectum, and bones. It can also spread to your lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and other body tissues.
Whether youve just been diagnosed or youre in treatment, its also important to know the signs of advanced cancer. Cancer can behave differently depending on your genetics, so not every person will experience the same symptoms in the same way.
Read on to learn more about the seven top symptoms of advanced prostate cancer and how to spot them.
How The Prostate Changes As You Age
Because the prostate gland tends to grow larger with age, it may squeeze the urethra and cause problems in passing urine. Sometimes men in their 30s and 40s may begin to have these urinary symptoms and need medical attention. For others, symptoms aren’t noticed until much later in life. An infection or a tumor can also make the prostate larger. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the urinary symptoms listed below.
Tell your doctor if you have these urinary symptoms:
- Are passing urine more during the day
- Have an urgent need to pass urine
- Have less urine flow
- Feel burning when you pass urine
- Need to get up many times during the night to pass urine
Growing older raises your risk of prostate problems. The three most common prostate problems are inflammation , enlarged prostate , and prostate cancer.
One change does not lead to another. For example, having prostatitis or an enlarged prostate does not increase your risk of prostate cancer. It is also possible for you to have more than one condition at the same time.
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Visible Blood In Your Urine
The first sign of bladder cancer may be blood you see in your urine stream or in the toilet bowl. Usually, its pink or red and isnt accompanied by any pain, Bochner says. Most people otherwise feel perfectly fine people will sometimes think, Well, I may have strained myself or I did something that caused that, he adds.
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Prostate Cancer: Early Symptoms And What To Do
To highlight Mens Health Awareness Month 2022, the UK Clubs Crew Health Team have compiled advice on prostate cancer in collaboration with Red Square Medical.
Prostate cancer is form of cancer, which begins in the gland cells of the prostate, which is only found in males. It is one of the most common types of cancer that males can develop.
Early warning signs and symptoms to be aware of
- Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night or when sleeping
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow of urine
- Feeling that the bladder has not been fully emptied
These symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has prostate cancer but it means that they should report to the medical officer in charge and seek further advice.
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Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Though early warning signs of prostate cancer are rare, sometimes men experience symptoms before they are diagnosed. The severity of symptoms may depend on where the cancer is located in the prostate and how advanced it has become. However, having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer or that the disease has progressed beyond its early stages.
If My Father Had Prostate Cancer Am I Likely To Get It
Having a sibling or parent with prostate cancer more than doubles your risk of developing it too. Having a brother affected increases your risk more than having a father affected. Your risk is much higher if youve had several relatives with prostate cancer, especially if they were young when they were diagnosed.
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Many Different Types Of Cancer Can Spread With Differing Symptoms Say Doctors
There are many different types of cancer that can spread to other parts of the body and become metastatic, including breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. The symptoms of metastatic cancer can vary depending on the specific type of cancer and the location of the metastases, but may include pain, fatigue, weight loss, and other general symptoms.
“Metastatic cancer does not always cause symptoms,” says the National Cancer Institute. “When symptoms do occur, what they are like and how often you have them will depend on the size and location of the metastatic tumors. Some common signs of metastatic cancer include:
+pain and fractures, when cancer has spread to the bone
+headache, seizures, or dizziness, when cancer has spread to the brain
+shortness of breath, when cancer has spread to the lung
+jaundice or swelling in the belly, when cancer has spread to the liver.”
What Causes Prostate Cancer
Put simply, prostate cancer is caused by changes in a person’s genetic code or DNA. There are two important types of genes that may play a role in the development of prostate cancer:
- Genes that help cells grow, divide, and stay alive are called oncogenes.
- Genes that keep cell growth under control, repair mistakes in our DNA, or trigger cellular death at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes.
If either gene type changes , then it can result in cells growing out of control e.g., cancer.
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Other Psa Roles Besides Screening
Confusion about PSA can arise because it may be used for other purposes besides screening. Screening is the most familiar role and it is a big deal. Over 200,000 men are diagnosed annually because of PSA screening. However, there are other uses. One example is how PSA helps to define the cancers stage after prostate cancer is detected. In men with cancer, a PSA level under 10 is associated with a more indolent type of prostate cancer. On the other hand, a PSA level over 20 is characteristic of a more aggressive type of prostate cancer. PSA also plays an important role for cancer monitoring to determine the effectiveness of various treatments.
Is Prostate Cancer Responsible For Urinary Disorders
The prostate is located below the bladder, hence the fact that a prostate problem can manifest as urinary dysfunction but it is not necessarily a sign of cancer. The prostate is a gland that tends to degenerate into hypertrophy with ageit is a phenomenon normal and progressive which can be accompanied by an increase in its volume which is called adenoma or benign prostatic hyperplasia, explains Dr. Naoun.
Prostate adenoma does not mean cancer.
The adenoma is what gives the most symptoms, including urinary symptoms. The adenoma is benign and not related to cancer. In case of urinary disorders, it is advisable to consult the urologist or the attending physician to see if there is an adenoma.On this occasion, prostate cancer can be found via the PSA assay or on tissue analysis when the adenoma is removed to relieve urinary disorders says Dr. Naoun.
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Expert Review And References
- American Cancer Society. Prostate Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. 2019: .
- Garnick MB . Harvard Medical School 2015 Annual Report on Prostate Diseases. 2015.
- Hermanns T, Kuk C, Zlotta AR. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and staging. Nargund VH, Raghavan D, Sandler HM . Urological Oncology. Springer 2015: 40: 697-718.
- Logothetis CJ, Kim J, Davis J, Kuban D, Mathew P, Aparicio A. Neoplasms of the prostate. Hong WK, Bast RC Jr, Hait WN, et al . Holland Frei Cancer Medicine. 8th ed. People’s Medical Publishing House 2010: 94: 1228-1254.
- PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Prostate Cancer Treatment Patient Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute 2020: .
- PDQ® Adult Treatment Editorial Board. Prostate Cancer Treatment Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute 2020: .
The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It causes more than 8,000 deaths, or about 1 death per hour. Pain, fatigue What are the signs of a prostate tumour? At the advanced stage?
Summary
Its the cancer more common in men with about 50,000 new cases discovered each year in France. the prostate cancer is responsible for more than 8000 deaths, that is 1 death every hour. On the occasion of Movember who promotes the prostate cancer screening each November, we took stock of the signs that can alert of prostate cancerwhether at beginning disease or a more advanced stagewith Dr Natacha Naoun, oncologist specializing in Genito-Urinary oncology at Gustave Roussy.
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What Should You Do If You Have The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
If you are presenting one or more of the warning signs of prostate cancer, then it would be wise to promptly consult with a qualified physician. Your symptoms may indicate another, less serious condition and even if you do receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, it is much easier to treat this disease when detected early on.
To learn more, contact our team of medical professionals at Care New England today.
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Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience additional symptoms. Thats because the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
Signs of metastatic prostate cancer may include:
- Swelling in legs or pelvic area
- Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet
- Bone pain that persists or leads to fractures
A wide range of treatment options are available for managing advanced cancer. These treatments kill cancer cells, but they may also help patients manage pain.
Prostate cancer treatment: The care you need is one call away
Your multidisciplinary team will work with you to develop a personalized plan to treat your prostate cancer in a way that fits your individual needs and goals.
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Blood Tests May Be Necessary
Your doctor may order blood tests to look for certain markers that may indicate the presence of cancer cells. For example, “While the color of skin remains a key indicator of diseases and the need for a blood test, there are other signs in the body and skin that may need a blood test,” says Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, MBBS, Ph.D. Professor of Public Health New Mexico State University. “These could include abnormal growths in the skin . A blood test is needed to ensure that these are not cancerous growths, what blood cells look like, or if there are other problems occurring simultaneously. As skin cancer is among the most common types of cancer, such growths should be assessed carefully.”
So What Are The Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Unfortunately, there usually arent any early warning signs for prostate cancer. The growing tumor does not push against anything to cause pain, so for many years the disease may be silent. Thats why screening for prostate cancer is such an important topic for all men and their families.
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In rare cases, prostate cancer can cause symptoms. Contact your doctor for an evaluation if you experience any of the following:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night, some- times urgently
- Difficulty starting or holding back urination
- Weak, dribbling, or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- A decrease in the amount of fluid ejaculated
- Pressure or pain in the rectum
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
Remember: urinary symptoms dont necessarily mean you have cancer. Prostatitis or BPH are benign diseases but can cause similar symptoms and are very common.
What about difficulty in having an erection? Again, this is most likely not caused by cancer but by other factors such as diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, or just plain getting older.
That said: Symptoms are symptoms, and no matter whats most likely to be causing them, you should get them checked out by a doctor.
Download or order your free copy of the Prostate Cancer Patient Guide now with COVID-19 Appendix.
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How Is Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated
The primary treatment of prostate cancer is prostatectomy, which is a surgery to remove a part of the prostate gland or the entire prostate gland in younger patients.
Androgen deprivation therapy is usually the choice of treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Also known as hormone therapy, it is also used for treating patients who are unfit or unwilling to undergo surgery or/and radiation therapy.
Examples of hormone therapies for advanced prostate cancer include
Questions You May Want To Consider Asking Your Doctor Include:
- What type of prostate problem do I have?
- Is more testing needed and what will it tell me?
- If I decide on watchful waiting, what changes in my symptoms should I look for and how often should I be tested?
- What type of treatment do you recommend for my prostate problem?
- For men like me, has this treatment worked?
- How soon would I need to start treatment and how long would it last?
- Do I need medicine and how long would I need to take it before seeing improvement in my symptoms?
- What are the side effects of the medicine?
- Are there other medicines that could interfere with this medication?
- If I need surgery, what are the benefits and risks?
- Would I have any side effects from surgery that could affect my quality of life?
- Are these side effects temporary or permanent?
- How long is recovery time after surgery?
- Will I be able to fully return to normal?
- How will this affect my sex life?
- How often should I visit the doctor to monitor my condition?
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When Should You See A Doctor
Its a good idea to contact a doctor if you notice any potential symptoms of prostate cancer, even if the symptoms dont seem serious. Its especially important to see a doctor if you notice blood in your urine since it can also be a symptom of a serious kidney or bladder condition.
Most prostate cancers are found with screening. The two main tests doctors use to screen for prostate cancer are a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen blood test.
A definitive diagnosis is made with a prostate biopsy, where a doctor removes a small sample of cells for lab analysis.
Managing Other Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Other prostate cancer symptoms can include:
Loss of libido . Side effects of drug treatments for prostate cancer can cause a loss of interest in sex and erection problems. A common treatment for prostate cancer is hormone therapy, which is used to slow your body down from making testosterone, the male hormone. Your doctor may recommend you do hormone therapy off and on to lessen the side effects of these medications.
To manage a loss of libido with prostate cancer, you can:
- Ask your doctor about breaks with your hormone therapy treatment, or only restart treatment when your prostate-specific antigen levels begin to rise
- Talk to your doctor about drug treatment for erection problems
- Seek advice from a sex counselor or therapist
- Talk with your partner about loss of libido
- Keep a healthy diet and stay active
Depression. News of cancer can be understandably difficult for you and your loved ones. Following a prostate cancer diagnosis, it isnât unusual for you to experience depression and other emotional side effects. Because stress is often another side effect of depression, depression in cancer patients has been linked to shorter survival times.
To manage the effects of depression, it can be helpful to:
- Join a support group for those with prostate cancer or in recovery
- Talk to your doctor about changes in your mood and feelings
- Talk to loved ones about what you are experiencing
- Try to remain active
To manage your thinking and memory, you can try to:
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