September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Kacey Flores, PA-C, Physician Assistant, Coastal Gateway Health Center

What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer occurs when normal cells in the prostate gland change into abnormal cells that grow out of control. The prostate gland makes fluid that is part of the male reproductive system. This gland sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, passes through the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer occurs most often in males older than 50. Although prostate cancer is very common, most men do not die from it because prostate cancer usually grows very slowly. Approximately 1 in every 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

What are the symptoms?

Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at first. But if symptoms do occur, they can include needing to urinate more often than usual and a urine stream that is slower than usual.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

Clinicians use a screening blood test called a PSA test and perform a rectal exam to check for prostate cancer. If there is suspicion that you have prostate cancer, follow up tests can include a biopsy (taking a small sample from the prostate and examining it under the microscope to look for cancerous cells) and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

Treatment varies depending on how advanced the cancer is, the patient’s age, and the patient’s other health problems. Options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors for prostate cancer include age >50 years old, being of African American ethnicity, family medical history of prostate cancer or certain other conditions, and a diet high in animal fat or low in vegetables. Men who have several of these risk factors are considered “high risk” and are often screened earlier in life. If you are unsure when or if you should be screened for prostate cancer, your healthcare provider is the best source of information for questions and concerns.

Key Point

Until a cure for prostate cancer is discovered, it is vital that we raise awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of this disease throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and every month of the year.