About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, making it the most common cancer in men after skin cancer.The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be approximately 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer 2023.
Prostate cancer progresses slowly over many years. Most men don’t notice the signs until it’s grown enough to be noticed. However, recognizing the early symptoms of prostate cancer increases the chances of successful treatment.
What is Prostate Cancer?
All cancers are named for the part of the body where they originate. prostate cancer Start with the prostate, a gland found only in men and critical to reproduction. Prostate cancer begins when cells in this gland grow abnormally. Cancer uses male hormones called androgens as fuel for growth. hormone therapy It can block the action of androgen and treat prostate cancer.
Cancer cells grow slowly and may take years to grow large enough to be detected. It may take longer for them to spread to other parts of the body. However, some cases of prostate cancer may be more aggressive and require urgent treatment.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Although all men are at risk for prostate cancer, some groups are at higher risk than others. The risk increases significantly after age 50. Six out of every 10 cases of prostate cancer occur in men over the age of 65.
African-American men at higher risk prostate cancer than men of other races. They also tend to be younger at diagnosis and more likely to die from the disease. Asian and Hispanic/Latino men are at lower risk prostate cancer than in non-Hispanic white men. It’s not clear why these differences exist, but the differences in results are narrowing.
As with many diseases, family history also plays a role in the development of prostate cancer. It can run in some families, suggesting that genetic factors may increase the risk. Men whose father or brother has prostate cancer have double the risk of developing the disease. However, most cases of prostate cancer occur in men with no family history of the disease.
What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?
Because prostate cancer grows slowly, most men do not realize there is a problem in the early stages. However, you should not ignore five warning signs:
- Pain or burning when urinating or ejaculating
- frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- blood in urine or semen
- difficulty starting or stopping urination
Other early symptoms of prostate cancer include a weak urine stream and discomfort or pain when sitting.
Note that not all men diagnosed with prostate cancer experience these symptoms. Again, these symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. They may be associated with less serious conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a common condition in men with an enlarged prostate gland, which sometimes doubles or triples its original size. However, BPH does not mean that you have an increased risk of prostate cancer.
prostatitis There are also symptoms similar to those of prostate cancer. Prostatitis is a painful condition in which the prostate becomes inflamed and swollen. It’s the most common cause of UTIs in men, but it’s not cancer. It can almost always be treated with antibiotics.
What are the signs of advanced prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body is called advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Advanced prostate cancer usually spreads to the bladder, rectum, and bones. It may also spread to the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or other body tissues.
Signs of advanced prostate cancer depend on where the cancer has spread. These signs may include swelling or weakness in the legs, back or hip pain, trouble breathing, or a persistent cough. Cancer that has spread to the bowel may also cause an out-of-control bowel, stomach pain, or constipation.
When should men be screened for prostate cancer?
While there is no one-size-fits-all screening method, there are some recommendations that can help. If you have certain risk factors, such as age or race, you may want to discuss screening with your doctor earlier than men without risk factors.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released the following Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations 2018:
- Men ages 55 to 69 should decide for themselves when to screen with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.
- Men should discuss the benefits and risks of screening, testing, and treatment with their doctors.
- Men aged 70 or over should not be screened.
These recommendations apply to men who:
- with average risk
- increase risk
- no symptoms
- have never been diagnosed with prostate cancer
What should you do if you think you have prostate cancer?
Talk to your doctor if you have early symptoms of prostate cancer, especially if they come on suddenly. Your doctor will use a PSA blood test or a digital rectal examination to determine if there is any problem with your prostate. Depending on the results, your doctor may order a biopsy.
If you do have prostate cancer, a biopsy can help determine the stage so your doctor can create a treatment plan for you. Early diagnosis is best and increases the chances of effective treatment, so don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor.
