Prostate cancer affects one in seven men worldwide. This makes it the second most common cancer among males. The good news? Doctors can cure prostate cancer, especially if they catch and treat it early.
Many people still don't understand this condition's symptoms, causes, and treatment options. The risk increases with age, which makes testing crucial as men get older. Medical experts haven't figured out all the reasons yet, but Black men face higher risks compared to other ethnicities. This September's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month sheds light on a disease that will affect millions of men. This article covers prostate cancer symptoms, diagnosis approaches, treatment options, and practical advice to help people living with this condition.
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that makes up part of the male reproductive system. This gland sits right below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces fluid that mixes with semen to help sperm travel and stay healthy for conception.
Cancer arises when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. DNA guides normal cells to grow, multiply, and die at specific times. But cancer cells have altered DNA instructions that make them grow faster and live longer than healthy cells would. These abnormal cancerous cells can form tumours and spread to nearby tissues.
Growth Patterns and Classification
Most prostate cancers grow slowly. Many men who have prostate cancer never show symptoms or need treatment. All the same, some types can grow quickly and spread to other body parts.
Adenocarcinomas: These tumours make up most prostate cancer cases. These tumours start in the gland cells that make prostatic fluid. On top of that, it includes several rare types:
Small cell carcinomas
Neuroendocrine tumours
Transitional cell carcinomas
Sarcomas of the prostate
Precancerous Conditions:
Prostate cancer often begins as a precancerous condition called prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Doctors can see abnormal prostate cells under microscopic examination in PIN cases. Low-grade PIN doesn't link to cancer risk, but high-grade PIN might mean a higher chance of getting prostate cancer later.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. About 13 out of every 100 males will develop this condition in their lifetime. Early detection substantially improves treatment outcomes. These numbers show why awareness and quick medical action matter so much.
Symptoms
Most men with prostate cancer show no signs in the beginning. Regular screening becomes significant for ageing men because symptoms rarely appear in early stages.
Changes in urinary habits are usually the first noticeable signs. Men might need to urinate more often, particularly at night. The need to urinate can feel urgent and hard to hold. Some experience weak or interrupted urine flow, while others struggle to start urinating even with a full bladder.
Several other warning signs could surface:
Pain or burning sensations during urination
Painful ejaculation
Persistent discomfort in the pelvic area
Unexplained pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Sudden erectile dysfunction issues
Unexplained weight loss
Note that having these symptoms doesn't automatically mean cancer. These signs commonly occur with non-cancerous conditions like prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Cancer that spreads beyond the prostate gland can cause additional symptoms. The patient's legs or pelvic area might swell. Some experience numbness or weakness in their feet or legs. Bone pain that persists even with rest could also develop.
Prostate cancer's biggest problem is its quiet progression in the early stages. Early detection substantially improves treatment outcomes, so men shouldn't wait for symptoms to discuss prostate health with their doctor. This becomes vital for those with a family history or who belong to higher-risk groups.
These symptoms deserve medical attention whatever the cause might be.
Causes and Risk Factors
Scientists are still working to uncover why some men develop prostate cancer. The exact causes remain unknown, though research points to several factors that raise the risk.
Age: Men under 40 rarely get prostate cancer, but the risk rises sharply with each passing decade.
Genetics: Genes are the foundation of up to 60% of prostate cancer risk. Changes in specific genes like BRCA1, BRCA2, and HOXB13 lift a man's risk. These genes act as natural "tumour suppressors" that help stop cells from growing out of control.
Family history: Men whose father or brother had prostate cancer face more than twice the usual risk. The risk grows even higher with:
More affected relatives
Relatives diagnosed at younger ages
Family members who had aggressive forms
Ethnicity: Race plays a crucial role in both getting the disease and its outcomes. Black men see much higher rates compared to White men.
Lifestyle choices: Obesity links to more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Research suggests that eating lots of dairy and calcium might slightly increase risk.
Other risk factors include exposure to certain pesticides, hormone-related factors like high insulin-like growth factor 1, and possibly smoking.
Note that having risk factors doesn't mean a man will get prostate cancer. Many men with multiple risk factors never develop it. Some men with no obvious risks still get prostate cancer.
Diagnosis and Staging
Doctors use several diagnostic tests to catch prostate cancer early. A physician might suspect prostate cancer during routine check-ups or based on symptoms, and they start with two basic tests.
Physical assessment: Doctors perform a digital rectal exam (DRE) to physically feel the prostate through the rectum. This helps them detect abnormal areas, lumps, or hardness.
Blood tests: The PSA blood test measures prostate-specific antigen levels, a protein that both cancerous and non-cancerous prostate tissue produces. Doctors typically investigate further when levels exceed 4.0 ng/mL, though age can affect this threshold.
When these first tests raise concerns, doctors order imaging tests:
Prostate MRI creates detailed pictures to identify suspicious areas
Transrectal ultrasound produces sound wave images that guide additional testing
Biopsy: A prostate biopsy provides the final diagnosis by examining small tissue samples in the laboratory. Doctors usually take many core samples from different parts of the prostate. A pathologist examines these samples to determine the cancer's presence and aggressiveness.
Prostate Cancer Staging
Stage | Description | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
I | Early cancer | Confined to prostate, low PSA (<10), Grade Group 1 |
IIA | Localised | Still in prostate, PSA 10-20, Grade Group 1 |
IIB | Localised | In prostate, PSA <20, Grade Group 2 |
IIC | Localised | In prostate, PSA <20, Grade Group 3-4 |
IIIA | Higher risk | In prostate, PSA ≥20, Grade Group 1-4 |
IIIB | Locally advanced | Spread outside prostate, not to lymph nodes |
IIIC | High grade | Any PSA, Grade Group 5, not spread to lymph nodes |
IVA | Regional spread | Spread to nearby lymph nodes |
IVB | Metastatic | Spread to distant sites (bones, organs) |
The Gleason score (ranging from 6-10) determines cancer's grade, with higher numbers showing more aggressive cancer. Modern practice uses Grade Groups 1-5, which offers clearer risk assessment for treatment decisions.
Treatment
A patient's overall health, cancer spread, and personal priorities shape prostate cancer treatment approaches. Doctors base their recommendations on the cancer's stage, grade, and PSA levels.
Surgical removal: Surgery remains popular for cancer that stays within the prostate. Radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland and nearby tissues. Surgeons can perform this through traditional open surgery or robotic-assisted methods. Robotic procedures lead to less blood loss and patients recover faster.
Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy kills cancer cells with high-energy rays. External beam radiation sends rays from outside the body over several weeks. Brachytherapy places radioactive seeds right into the prostate. Some patients need radiation after surgery if the cancer comes back. It also helps with bone pain when cancer spreads.
Hormone therapy: This therapy stops male hormones (androgens) that accelerate prostate cancer growth. Treatment options include:
Medications that stop testosterone production
Drugs that block androgens from working
Surgical removal of testicles (orchiectomy)
This treatment works well as the first option for advanced prostate cancer and combines with other treatments.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy helps men whose advanced prostate cancer no longer responds to hormone therapy. Doctors give chemo drugs through a vein every three weeks.
Men with early-stage, slow-growing tumours might choose active surveillance instead of immediate treatment. Regular tests and biopsies help monitor the cancer's progress.
Treatment decisions can feel overwhelming. Patients should ask for second opinions and learn about possible side effects. These might include urinary problems, erectile dysfunction, or bowel changes based on the chosen treatment.
Experienced specialists at centres that treat prostate cancer regularly achieve substantially better success rates.
When to Connect a Doctor
The right moment to ask a doctor about prostate health can save lives. Many men put off medical advice because they feel embarrassed or scared. Early talks with doctors lead to better outcomes.
Here's when men should talk to their doctor about prostate health:
At age 45 if there's prostate cancer in the family
At age 40 for Black men and others with high-risk
At age 50 for men with average risk
Right away if new urinary symptoms appear
If blood shows up in urine or semen
When bone pain occurs without explanation, particularly in the spine, hips, or ribs
After unexpected weight loss
If pain persists in the lower back or pelvic area
Your annual check-ups give you the perfect chance to bring up prostate health concerns. Write down any symptoms, how long you've had them, and their effect on your daily routine before appointments. Your doctor needs your family's cancer history to assess your risk properly.
Getting a second opinion makes sense after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Different doctors might suggest various approaches based on their expertise and your cancer's specific traits.
Regular talks with your medical team become vital after diagnosis. Your follow-up appointments should cover treatment side effects, life quality concerns, and emotional health.
Doctors would rather see you too early than too late. Men shouldn't wait to schedule appointments even for minor prostate health concerns.
Building an honest relationship with your doctors creates a strong base to manage prostate cancer effectively. This bond lets you talk openly about symptoms, treatment priorities, and quality of life throughout your cancer experience.
Living with Prostate Cancer
A prostate cancer diagnosis affects daily life far beyond medical treatments. Many men learn to handle physical, emotional, and practical challenges while keeping a good quality of life.
Physical side effects become key concerns. Treatments often cause urinary problems, fatigue, and bowel issues. Sexual dysfunction affects many men after surgical or radiation treatment.
Lifestyle Adaptations
Men with prostate cancer benefit from physical activity in multiple ways. Regular exercise leads to better physical outcomes, fewer treatment side effects, and higher survival rates. A few hours of vigorous activity each week improves prostate cancer survival significantly.
Diet choices matter too. Plant-based foods, whole grains, and fewer processed foods help overall health during and after treatment. Weight management becomes crucial since obesity doubles the risk of death from prostate cancer.
Managing Daily Life
Practical issues need attention. Financial problems affect many patients, especially younger men, those with lower incomes, and people in rural areas. Job challenges, childcare needs, and home modifications often come up, too.
Partners and family members also need support. Caregivers face higher risks of psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Family counselling or specific caregiver resources help address these concerns.
With proper support systems, lifestyle changes, and emotional care, many men live good lives despite their prostate cancer experience.
Conclusion
Prostate cancer continues to be a major health challenge for men across the globe. The statistics might look scary, but early detection substantially improves survival rates. Men need to make regular check-ups a priority, especially after turning 50 or earlier if they have high risk factors.
Warning signs should never be ignored. Medical attention is needed right away if you notice changes in urination patterns, unexplained pain, or blood in urine. Many symptoms might match non-cancerous conditions, but only a doctor can make the right diagnosis.
Medical science has expanded treatment options substantially over recent decades. Different approaches like surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy are available based on individual cases. Men with slow-growing tumours can opt for active surveillance.
Quality of life needs equal attention alongside medical treatment. Many men cope with cancer better through support groups, counselling, exercise, and dietary changes. Their partners and family members also need support since they share the emotional weight of diagnosis and treatment.
Getting a diagnosis can feel overwhelming at first. Millions of men lead good lives during and after prostate cancer treatment. Knowledge enables better decisions, and quick action saves lives.
