Prostate cancer

Correspondent | Tuesday May 9, 2023 06:00

If you have prostate cancer or are close to someone who does, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Here you can find out all about prostate cancer, including risk factors, symptoms, how it is found, and how it is treated.

Risk factors Factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer include: • Older age. Your risk of prostate cancer increases as you age. It's most common after age 50. • Race.

For reasons not yet determined, black people have a greater risk of prostate cancer than do people of other races. In black people, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.

• Family history. If a blood relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. Also, if you have a family history of genes that increase the risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.

• Obesity. People who are obese may have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with people considered to have a healthy weight, though studies have had mixed results.

In obese people, the cancer is more likely to be more aggressive and more likely to return after initial treatment. Signs and symptoms: Prostate cancer may cause no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Prostate cancer that's more advanced may cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Trouble urinating

• Decreased force in the stream of urine

• Blood in the urine

• Blood in the semen

• Bone pain

• Losing weight without trying • Erectile dysfunction Prevention You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer if you: • Choose a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables

• Choose healthy foods over supplements

• Exercise most days of the week

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Talk to your doctor about increased risk of prostate cancer Prostate screening tests might include:

• Digital rectal exam (DRE)

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm and analysed for PSA, a substance that's naturally produced by your prostate gland. It's normal for a small amount of PSA to be in your bloodstream.

However, if a higher than usual level is found, it may indicate prostate infection, inflammation, enlargement or cancer. Diagnosis If prostate cancer screening detects an abnormality, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer, such as:

• Ultrasound

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

• Collecting a sample of prostate tissue Management Your prostate cancer treatment options depend on several factors, such as how fast your cancer is growing, whether it has spread and your overall health, as well as the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment. Immediate treatment may not be necessary Low-grade prostate cancer may not need treatment right away.

For some, treatment may never be needed. Instead, doctors sometimes recommend active surveillance. In active surveillance, regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and prostate biopsies may be performed to monitor progression of your cancer. If tests show your cancer is progressing, you may opt for a prostate cancer treatment such as surgery or radiation.