Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the US and the second-highest cause of cancer death for men in the US. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 13.1% of all cancer cases in the US during 2021 will be prostate cancer.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its size tends to increase as a man ages, but it is typically about the size of a walnut. The prostate produces most of the fluid that makes up a man’s semen. Like most forms of cancer, prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells begin growing at an uncontrolled rate in the prostate gland.
Causes and risk factors
It is not known what causes prostate cancer. According to the CDC, all men are at risk of contracting prostate cancer, although the risk increases with age. That said, black men are over one and a half times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from it than white men. The reason for this has not yet been determined.
If you have a family member that has had either prostate cancer or breast cancer, you may be at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
Another possible risk factor that is often highlighted is obesity. Some studies have shown that prostate cancer might be more commonly diagnosed in men categorized as obese than those who maintain a healthy weight. However, the overall evidence of a correlation is not conclusive. Other studies indicate that if you are obese, you are more likely to be diagnosed with a more aggressive form of cancer. These studies also suggest that obesity may mean that cancer is more likely to return after an initial bout of treatment. Again, not all studies have found this to be true.
Your doctor will recommend regular prostate checks and screening, as diagnosing prostate cancer at an early stage can significantly improve your chances of survival.
Symptoms
Usually, prostate cancer does not show any symptoms in its early stages. However, as it progresses, certain symptoms become apparent. Since the prostate gland surrounds the top part of the urethra, one of the most common symptoms is difficulty urinating, particularly a decreased force when you urinate. You may also find blood either in your urine or semen.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. They will usually send you for a biopsy, ultrasound, and/or MRI to detect and diagnose the cancer. If they do find cancerous cells, they will then need to determine the stage of cancer and whether it may have spread to other parts of the body.
Complications associated with prostate cancer
Many cases of prostate cancer are slow to develop. If detected early, it can be treated reasonably effectively, ensuring a five-year average survival rate of 97.5%.
The most significant complications with prostate cancer occur when the cancer spreads to neighboring organs or, like other cancers, travels through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. If the cancer spreads to your bones, it may lead to pain in the bones or even broken bones.
Due to the prostate’s location, incontinence and erectile dysfunction are both complications associated with prostate cancer and its treatments.
Treatments for prostate cancer
Treatment options for prostate cancer generally depend on at what stage the cancer is. If your doctor does not believe the cells to be malignant, they may suggest continued monitoring with tests and screenings, sometimes called “watchful waiting.” As long as the cancer is not growing or causing any symptoms, this may be the best option.
If the cancer has spread, your doctor may recommend either surgery or radiation therapy. Surgery typically involves a prostatectomy where the surgeon will remove the prostate and any malignant tissue surrounding it. They may also recommend treating the cancer with radiation therapy, either using internal or external radiation therapy to kill the cancer cells.
Many men can live with prostate cancer for many years, and some may die without ever knowing they had it. The keys to survival are regular screenings and check-ups to ensure that the cancer does not spread and, if it does, to get treatment as soon as possible.