Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men. One in eight will have it at some point in their lifetime and, although the long-term prognosis is relatively good (84% of sufferers will survive it for 10 or more years), it can still be a frightening diagnosis.1
As with most things in life, knowledge is power – and this is true when it comes to prostate cancer too. So here’s our quick round-up of the really important points. If you find any of the information useful, please consider forwarding it to friends, fathers, brothers or sons who may also benefit from knowing.
1) What is prostate cancer?2
To answer this it’s helpful to first find out a little more about the prostate itself – the walnut-shaped gland that grows steadily bigger as we age. Its purpose is to make semen. No prizes for guessing whereabouts in the body it’s located then – surrounding the urethra (the tube men pee and ejaculate through) and underneath the bladder.
When cancer is found in the prostate, it basically means that certain cells inside it have started to grow in an uncontrolled way. It’s not unusual to notice no problems at all, as this cancer often develops incredibly slowly. However, in certain men it is more likely to spread to other areas of the body. When this is the case, treatment can’t come soon enough.
2) Who’s most at risk?3
As men age their chances of getting prostate cancer increase. It’s a disease that’s predominantly associated with over-50s, but not exclusively.
Other factors which might put you in the ‘at-risk’ group include a family history of the condition and ethnicity. Black men are more likely to get this cancer than their white counterparts. Indeed, one in four black men will get it at some point in their lives.
Of course, it’s not all down to genetics or age – as with other cancers, lifestyle choices can play a part too. Help yourself by watching your weight as new research has drawn a link between obesity and more aggressive or advanced cases of the disease.
3) What should I look for?4
This is a tricky one as many cases present no obvious early symptoms. It’s only if the cancer is growing near your urethra, with resultant changes to the way you wee, that you’re likely to spot it at first.
If you do notice changes in your toilet habits, however, don’t immediately fear the worst. It could be a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Nevertheless, for peace of mind it’s always worth consulting your GP if you have any concerns.
When prostate cancer spreads, symptoms start to stack up. These can include everything from unexplained weight loss and blood in urine or semen, to problems maintaining an erection and pain in the pelvis, hip or back. As above, other conditions can cause the same problems, but you should always seek the opinion of a doctor before dismissing them out of hand.
4) Can I prevent it?5
Like most other cancers, you can lower your chances by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. The latter includes moderation around certain foods which have been shown to carry an increased risk of getting prostate cancer, including (but not limited to) dairy products, red or processed meat, alcohol and saturated fat.
Certain foods are reported to be particularly beneficial: lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes (tinned too!) or those high in selenium like fish, liver and Brazil nuts. Pulses can also be preventative, as well as anything containing a lot of Vitamin E. Start with avocados, nuts and green, leafy vegetables.
While there’s no single test to pick up on prostate cancer, there exist certain ways your GP might discover a problem. A urine test will rule out infection, or you can opt for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood check. For most men a digital rectal examination (DRE) is the last resort. Sure, it’s uncomfortable and a bit socially awkward too, but it could save your life.6
You’ll find plenty more information about prostate cancer online, and the website of Prostate Cancer UK (prostatecanceruk.org) is particularly informative.
We hope that our brief overview of the subject has helped to allay some fears while simultaneously encouraging you to stay alert to future changes. Keeping healthy, eating well, and visiting your doctor on a regular basis can’t do any harm either.
Sources:-
1- http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate- cancer
2- https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer
3- https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/are-you-at-risk
4 -https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-symptoms
5- https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/are-you-at-risk/can-i-reduce-my-risk
6- https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/prostate-tests/introduction-to-prostate-tests
