Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, with more than 240,000 Australian males currently impacted by the disease and another 66 men diagnosed each day.
With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we thought we’d take a closer look at the disease in this month’s blog.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate gland develop more quickly than in a normal prostate, forming a malignant tumour.
The prostate is a small gland that is about the size of a walnut and sits below the bladder near the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the passage of the penis through which urine and semen pass.
Only men have a prostate and it forms part of the male reproductive system. It produces some of the nutrients that sperm need once they leave the body and secretions from the prostate make up a large part of semen.
It is generally a slow growing disease and has one of the highest survival rates of all cancers. Those diagnosed with the disease have a 95% chance of survival beyond 5 years, when detected early. If found late, however, those survival rates drop to below 26%.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the early stages, there are rarely symptoms. In later stages of the disease, some symptoms may include:
- frequent urination, particularly at night;
- a delay in starting when wanting to urinate;
- a weak stream when urinating;
- dribbling at the end of urinating;
- a lack of bladder control (incontinence);
- pain when urinating or ejaculating;
- blood in the urine or semen; and
- bone pain, particularly in the lower back or pelvis.
These symptoms may not mean that you have cancer. However, if you do experience any of these symptoms, it is best to speak with your GP immediately to find out why they may be occurring.
Risk factors of prostate cancer
There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease. These include:
Family History – a family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer increases your own risk of developing the disease, particularly if your father or brother developed prostate cancer at a young age. If this is you, make sure you speak to your doctor about getting a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test at 45 years of age.
Race – those of African and Caribbean descent are at slightly more risk of developing the disease. If this applies slot hoki to you, it is recommended you speak to your doctor about getting a PSA blood test at 45 years of age.
Diet and Lifestyle – while there is no direct evidence to suggest diet and lifestyle increase your risk of developing the disease, it is still recommended that you maintain a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, remain physically active and minimise alcohol consumption to improve your overall health.
Age – this is the main risk factor and your risk increases rapidly after 50 years of age. The risk of developing prostate cancer increases to 1 in 7 by the age of 75 and 1 in 5 by the age of 85. The disease is uncommon in men under 50.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no simple, single test to detect the disease. If your doctor suspects you may have prostate cancer, they will generally recommend you undergo one or more of the following tests:
- Digital Rectal Examination. This involves your doctor inserting a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate to tell if it is enlarged or not.
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test. This measures the PSA levels in your blood. Most of the PSA in your body is made by the prostate. When the prostate is damaged, PSA leaks into the blood. PSA levels can be variable and an elevated PSA level does not mean you have prostate cancer. In fact, some men with prostate cancer have normal PSA levels and only one in three men with elevated PSA levels has cancer.
- Prostate Biopsy. A biopsy is the only way a firm diagnosis of prostate cancer can be made. It involves removing small samples of tissue from your prostate using very thin, hollow needles, guided by an ultrasound. The tissue is then sent to a pathologist to determine whether the cells are malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). It will also help determine the aggressiveness of the disease, if present.
How is it treated?
There are a number of different treatment options available, depending on your prognosis and the progression and growth of the disease.
Treatment options generally include:
- Active surveillance
- Prostatectomy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will discuss the treatment options available to you and recommend the best course of action.
To make a booking with one of our GPs to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your prostate or overall health in general, visit our Online Bookings page or contact us on (08) 9208 6400.
Where can I find out more information?
For more information on this topic, visit:
- Australian Cancer Research Foundation – https://www.acrf.com.au/
- Cancer Council – https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/prostate-cancer
- Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/prostate-cancer
- HealthyWA – https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/N_R/Prostate-cancer
- Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – https://www.pcfa.org.au/askpcfa/