Prostate Cancer Screening Can Detect Cancer
Screening, or looking for cancer before it causes symptoms, can help find prostate cancer at its earliest stages to provide effective treatment. The goal of prostate cancer screening is to identify high-risk, localized prostate cancer that can be successfully treated and to prevent the mortality and morbidity associated with incurable, advanced or metastatic disease. The world has faced the pandemic, which negatively impacted routine screening for a multitude of cancers, including prostate, with a resultant resurgence of advanced prostate cancer at diagnosis. Although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that men should begin screening at 55, the Prostate Cancer Advisory Council feels this recommendation falls short of addressing risk factors that could influence when men should be screened. Stringer said, There are populations at risk for earlier onset of disease as well as more aggressive disease at onset. Therefore, we recommend PSA-based screening for African American men and those with strong family histories of prostate cancer to begin screening in their 40s. He also recommends those exposed to Agent Orange, a powerful herbicide widely used during the Vietnam War, be screened earlier. Talking to a health care provider about risk factors is important in deciding whether to be tested earlier.
What Causes Prostate Cancer
Researchers don’t know for sure what causes prostate cancer. They do know that it happens when there are changes in the genetic material .
Sometimes these genetic changes are inherited, meaning that you are born with them. There are also certain genetic changes that happen during your lifetime that can raise your risk of prostate cancer. But often the exact cause of these genetic changes is unknown.
Risk Factors May Render Men More Likely To Develop Prostate Cancer
Even though the cause of prostate cancer is unclear, certain risk factors may increase mens risk of developing the condition.
- The older you are, the higher your risk of developing prostate cancer.
- African American men are roughly 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer.
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer are approximately twice as likely to develop the disease.
For men at high risk, the PSA screening discussion and decision should be initiated as young as age 40.
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Why The Increased Risk
Doctors do not fully understand why Black males have a higher risk of getting and dying from prostate cancer than other males. However, they believe that genetics plays a role. Some people with prostate cancer report having other family members with a history of prostate cancer.
A 2021 study into the heredity of prostate cancer found 86 new genetic risk variants. The study found that men of African ancestry had an estimated mean genetic risk score more than two times higher than men of European ancestry.
Below is a list of risk factors that might account for the more aggressive prostate cancer in Black people.
- Obesity: Non-Hispanic Black males are more likely than non-Hispanic white males to have
What To Know About Prostate Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment
In the US, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. For those of African descent, the number is more startling 1 in 5 men are projected to develop the disease.
In the US, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. For those of African descent, the number is more startling 1 in 5 men are projected to develop the disease.
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the US, and estimates suggest there are more than 3 million American men living with the disease.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation urges men in any at-risk groups, or those older than 50, to discuss prostate screening options with their primary care physicians. Many men do not like to discuss the screening with their physicians because of discomfort about the inspection of the prostate, for instance. But with the types of early detection methods now available, prostate cancer is 99 percent treatable, according to the PCF. Screening for prostate cancer can often occur via a simple blood test, rather than an invasive, and often embarrassing, physical exam.
Learning more about the disease, if you are diagnosed, can help you take an active part in your treatment and recovery. According to the National Cancer Institute, no known cause exists. There are risk factors, however, that may increase the chance of getting the disease.
The top risk factors for prostate cancer include:
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What Is The Prognosis For People Who Have Prostate Cancer
Because prostate cancer tends to grow slowly, most men die from something other than the disease. Early detection is key to better outcomes. Almost all men 97% to 98% diagnosed with localized cancer that hasnt spread outside of the prostate live at least five years after diagnosis. When metastatic cancer has spread outside of the gland, one-third of men continue to survive after five years.
Top 10 Things You Should Know About Prostate Cancer
1. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men in the U.S., and the 4th most common tumor diagnosed worldwide.
2. In the United States, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
3. For Black men, 1 in 6 will develop prostate cancer and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
4. In 2022, nearly 269,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 34,000 will die from the disease. Thats one new case diagnosed every 2 minutes and another death from prostate cancer every 15 minutes.
5. A man is more likely to develop prostate cancer than he is to develop colon, kidney, melanoma, and stomach cancers combined.
6. It is estimated that more than 3 million U.S. men are living with prostate cancer.
7. As men increase in age, their risk of developing prostate cancer increases exponentially. About 6 in 10 cases are found in men over the age of 65.
8. Men with relatives father, brother, son with a history of prostate cancer may be twice as likely to develop the disease.
9. Prostate cancer can be silent its important to get checked, even if you have no symptoms.
10. 99% of patients with local or regional disease live 5 years or longer after diagnosis.
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Medical Research Is Working To Make Progress In Prostate Cancer Prevention And Treatment
Physicians and scientists around the world are committed to learning more about the causes, treatments and possible preventions of prostate cancer. Researchers are working to detect prostate cancer earlier and more precisely and looking for methods to treat prostate cancer more effectively. UF Health is using technology to take a 3D image of the prostate by ultrasound and fuse the image with magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scans to do biopsies based on the target. Certainly, its more accurate in detecting high-risk prostate cancer. We are working on a simulation of teaching residents how to perform the technique of image-guided prostate biopsy without having a patient there, Stringer said.
What Are Common Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
As I mentioned earlier, I most commonly see prostate cancer in men over 60. And like many other types of cancer, prostate cancer risks increase as you get older. Other risk factors can include:
- A family history of prostate cancer If you have a close family member, such as a father or brother, with prostate cancer, youre 2 to 3 times more likely than other men to develop prostate cancer .
- Genetics Many of my patients often ask if prostate cancer is hereditary. Hereditary prostate cancer does exist, but only 5 to 10 percent of all prostate cancers are hereditary due to a single inherited gene mutation.
- Race Black men are at a higher risk of prostate cancer than men of other races, and were not sure why.
- Obesity Obese men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be more likely to have an advanced cancer thats more difficult to treat.
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Early Stage Prostate Cancer
If the cancer is small and localized, a doctor may recommend:
Watchful waiting or monitoring
The doctor may check PSA blood levels regularly but take no immediate action. Prostate cancer grows slowly, and the risk of treatment side effects may outweigh the need for immediate treatment.
Surgery
A surgeon may carry out a radical prostatectomy to remove the tumor. In addition to removing the prostate, the procedure may also involve the removal of the surrounding tissue, seminal vesicles, and nearby lymph nodes. A doctor can perform this procedure using either open, laparoscopic, or robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.
Radiation therapy
This uses radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. Options for early stage prostate cancer may include :
External radiation therapy: This method uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer cells. Conformal radiation therapy is a type of external radiation that uses a computer to help guide and target a specific area, minimizing the risk to healthy tissue and allowing a high dose of radiation to reach the prostate tumor.
Internal radiation therapy: Also known as brachytherapy, this method uses radioactive seeds that a doctor implants near the prostate. A surgeon uses imaging scans, such as ultrasound or computed tomography to help guide the placement of the radioactive substance.
Treatment will depend on various factors. A doctor will discuss the best option for the individual.
When Treatment Is Needed A Team Approach Is Best
According to a recent study, about half of men on active surveillance will receive treatment within five years. For men who have more aggressive cancers, some may require curative treatment.
When an aggressive cancer is confined to the prostate, several treatment options may be considered, including surgery and radiation. Each of these approaches has various risks and benefits, which is why we have a long, extensive conversation with patients to understand each mans treatment goals and which of these different options makes the most sense for him, Anderson says.
At Columbia, doctors take a team-based approach to prostate cancer care. Patients often have a team of specialistssurgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, and radiation oncologiststhat work together to identify treatment options best suited for each patient given the cancers characteristics and the patients treatment goals.
For patients with more aggressive cancers or cancers that have spread, new medications, including next-generation hormonal therapies, are available and have improved outcomes compared to older medications.
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Psa Tests Are Still Important Detection Tools
Physicians screen for prostate cancer using a blood test called prostate specific antigen . This screening test allows doctors to detect mens cancers when they are smaller and more likely to be curable. PSA tests are not perfect but are still an important tool in detecting prostate cancer early, says Anderson.
Though the tests have been criticized in the past, Anderson says that doctors today are smarter about interpreting the results. Today, we no longer biopsy everyone with an abnormal PSA. Instead, we often use additional tests to identify which men are at low risk of having a significant prostate cancer and can avoid invasive testing, he says.
In addition, for men who require a prostate biopsy, the use of pre-biopsy prostate MRI allows for biopsies to be targeted very precisely to suspicious areas inside the prostate, thereby improving biopsy accuracy.
As a result of early detection from screening, most men have no signs and symptoms at all when their prostate cancer is diagnosed.
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.
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What Are The Treatments For Prostate Cancer
Your treatment options usually depend on your age, your general health, and how serious the cancer is. Your treatment may include one or more of options:
- Observation,which is mostly used if you are older, your prostate cancer isn’t likely to grow quickly, and you don’t have symptoms or you have other medical conditions. Your doctor will keep checking on your cancer over time so to see whether you will need to start treatment for the cancer. There are two types of observation:
- Watchful waiting means having little or no testing. If symptoms begin or change, you will get treatment to relieve them, but not to treat the cancer.
- Active surveillance means having regular tests to see if your prostate cancer has changed. If the tests show the cancer is starting to grow or if you develop symptoms, then you will have treatment to try to cure the cancer.
New Surgical And Radiation Techniques May Minimize Side Effects
For patients who elect to have surgery, robotic techniques provide excellent results and try to minimize side effects. At Columbia, surgeons use the DaVinci robotic platform to perform a minimally invasive prostatectomy that helps patients recover after surgery. For patients who have radiation, new machines help minimize side effects to surrounding tissues by creating more precise radiation fields to the prostate.
But urinary and sexual side effects may still occur even with the latest treatments.
Though advances in surgical and radiation techniques work towards minimizing treatment side effects, men who have treatment for prostate cancer are at risk for changes to sexual, urinary, and bowel function, Anderson says. While we work hard to help patients avoid side effects by utilizing less-aggressive treatments when appropriate, our survivorship team of specialists in urinary function and sexual health is able to expertly diagnose and manage treatment side effects.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Most prostate cancers are found early, through screening. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. More advanced prostate cancers can sometimes cause symptoms, such as:
- Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain in the hips, back , chest , or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord
Most of these problems are more likely to be caused by something other than prostate cancer. For example, trouble urinating is much more often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia , a non-cancerous growth of the prostate. Still, its important to tell your health care provider if you have any of these symptoms so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Some men might need more tests to check for prostate cancer.
Things Men Need To Know About Prostate Cancer
For men diagnosed with prostate cancer or who are concerned about their risk, it can be a daunting task to navigate the latest research news.
On Saturday, prostate cancer experts shared their knowledge about screening, treatment and clinical trials at the fourth annual symposium for patients and families held at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The event was hosted by the Institute for Prostate Cancer Research â a joint program of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine.
IPCR’s more than 40 scientists and clinician-scientists collaborate to understand the causes of prostate cancer and its progression, develop new ways to prevent and diagnose the disease, and create new treatments to improve survival and quality of life.
To help distill their latest recommendations and research, here are six things men need to know.
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Ten Things You Need To Know About Prostate Cancer
If you are a man, there’s a good chance that you will get a prostate cancer diagnosis at some time in your life, so its important to know the facts. Here are 10 tips to better inform you about prostate cancer:
If you are a man, theres a good chance you will get a prostate cancer diagnosis at some time in your life. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. That number is one out of every seven for African American men. For many, it will stay at a low level that does not cause problems. But that is not the case for all men. Its important to know the facts, find a doctor you like and trust, and stay in touch with your doctor about your prostate health. By talking about it, you can make informed decisions that help you take control of your health picture and deal with small problems before they become serious.
Early detection is key. If you are diagnosed with early prostate cancer, its important to know your chances for a positive outcome are excellent.
Screening For Prostate Cancer
There are no tests available with sufficient accuracy to screen populations of men for early signs of prostate cancer. However, early detection and treatment can significantly improve prostate cancer survival.
The test most commonly used to aid early detection of prostate cancer is the prostate specific antigen blood test. This is not a diagnostic test as it can only indicate changes in the prostate. If you are concerned about prostate cancer you should talk to your doctor and make an informed choice about whether to have one of the tests designed to find early signs of prostate cancer, in view of the potential risks and benefits.
There are no proven measures to prevent prostate cancer.
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