Prostate Cancer Awareness

Did you know that prostate cancer, apart from specific types of skin cancer, is the most prevalent cancer among men? Startling statistics from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that prostate cancer ranks high on the list of leading causes of cancer-related deaths in men ¹.

In the most recent reported year alone, a staggering 225,000 men received a prostate cancer diagnosis ². More than 1 in 10 men will confront prostate cancer during their lifetime ³. These figures emphasize the urgent need for awareness, early detection, and effective prevention strategies to combat this pervasive disease.

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a walnut-sized organ in the male reproductive system. As men age, the prostate can become larger or undergo other changes. While these changes might lead to other health effects, they are not cancer. An enlarged prostate, for example, is not usually a sign of prostate cancer.

Cancer is when cells grow uncontrollably. When cancer begins in the prostate, it is known as prostate cancer. If cancer is not treated early, it can spread to other parts of the body, which is a process known as metastasis. Cancer that has metastasized is much more difficult to treat. It is important to treat cancer in its early stages, before it has metastasized.

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer doesn't discriminate—it can affect any man. However, certain factors can elevate the risk for this formidable disease. These risk factors include age, race, and family history. Age is the most common risk factor for prostate cancer, and as men get older, their risk of developing prostate cancer increases.

African American men face unique challenges. They possess a higher susceptibility to prostate cancer, including more aggressive forms, and often encounter advanced disease at diagnosis. Unfortunately, statistics reveal that African American men face a higher risk of prostate cancer mortality, which underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and tailored interventions ³.

Men with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer face an increased risk of developing the disease, and certain genetic variants can further elevate the risk. Genetic testing can help determine individual risk factors and might influence treatment decisions if prostate cancer develops. For example, carriers of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, which many people associate with breast cancer, can develop more aggressive forms of prostate cancer ⁴.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Early stages of prostate cancer might not have any symptoms. If symptoms develop, they might include ⁵:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Urinating often, especially at night
• Trouble emptying the bladder completely
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away
• Painful ejaculation

Prostate cancer screening

Early detection saves lives. Don’t let the fear of an examination prevent you from obtaining prostate cancer screening. A blood test known as the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can be used to screen for prostate cancer. The PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of PSA in the blood, which is a hormone secreted by the prostate. High levels might indicate prostate cancer.
Several factors can affect the levels of PSA in the body.

These include prostate infections, an enlarged prostate, certain medications, and certain medical procedures. If results are abnormal, your healthcare provider can help you decide if  further testing like a biopsy is necessary. During a prostate biopsy, small samples are collected from the prostate. The samples are subsequently processed in pathology laboratories like HNL Lab Medicine and examined under a microscope by a skilled pathologist.

The pathologist will carefully examine the tissues to determine if cancer is present. If cancer is detected, the pathologist will assess how aggressive the cancer is. Your healthcare provider will use this information to determine management options and treatment plans.

For more information

Prostate cancer screening is informed by your risk factors and symptoms. Discuss prostate cancer screening and your personal risk factors with your healthcare provider during your next preventative care examination. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if prostate cancer screening is appropriate for you, and if so, how often screening should take place. For more information about prostate cancer or current recommendations, visit the CDC’s website.