Thankfully the second-most common type of cancer among men, prostate cancer, can be detected, monitored and treated very successfully today, giving men a higher likelihood of survival than ever before. Here are seven facts about prostate cancer that can help you and your family better understand risk factors, detection and treatment options.
7 Facts about Prostate Cancer
- Prostate cancer can be inherited.
- Treatment may not be the first course of action.
- Most men survive prostate cancer.
- It's more common in African-American men.
- Younger men can develop prostate cancer.
- Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms.
- Potential side effects from prostate cancer radiation treatments can be reduced.
1. Prostate Cancer Can Be Inherited
Research from the National Cancer Institute shows that some cases of prostate cancer have a genetic component. If your father or brother(s) have had prostate cancer, you're at a higher risk for developing it, too. The more immediate family members with prostate cancer, the higher your own risk becomes.
In these cases, inherited gene mutations are responsible for the development of prostate cancer. Certain pathogenic mutations in genes such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been identified, and ongoing research is currently examining the potential involvement of additional mutations in several other genes.
There is still a lot of research related to prostate cancer and inherited genes that may make you more likely to develop the disease. At Compass Oncology, we offer genetic tests to men who have a family history of prostate cancer. You can discuss genetic testing with your oncologist or a genetic counselor to see if it’s right for you or a family member. Understanding whether there is a genetic mutation can impact the prostate cancer treatments provided and can help your family understand their risk for developing prostate cancer or other types of cancer available to those patients.
2. Treatment Is Not Always the First Course of Action
Each year, more than 60,000 men with prostate cancer in America choose to pursue treatment with radiation therapy, according to statistics from the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Despite these numbers, prostate tumors grow quite slowly.
Prostate cancer treatment can involve radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or even surgery. However, it’s not always necessary right away. For many men whose cancer is slow-growing and still located within the prostate, the oncologist may suggest active surveillance or watchful waiting.
According to the American Cancer Society, active surveillance refers to close monitoring of the patient with visits to the oncologist at least every six months for a blood test and digital exam. Additional imaging and biopsies might be performed as well.
Watchful waiting is a less intense approach to monitoring prostate cancer. It does not normally include frequent testing, but, instead, monitoring how the patient is feeling. Watchful waiting is more commonly used for men who are of more advanced age, or those who have other health conditions that might increase the risks and side effects associated with treatment.
Bear in mind that "active surveillance" and "watchful waiting" do not translate to "ignore and wait." You may eventually need treatment for your prostate cancer. That’s why it’s important to follow the oncologist's recommendations for periodic testing, as this is a critical component of successful long-term outcomes. Many men with prostate cancer experience no (or almost no) symptoms. In these cases, ongoing PSA tests and biopsies are the only way to know whether a patient's cancer is growing or spreading and if more aggressive treatment approaches are necessary.
While watchful waiting and active surveillance are valid approaches, feel free to ask your oncologist about the pros and cons of all your available prostate cancer treatment options..
3. Most Men Survive a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Several different prostate cancer treatments exist, and they can be used alone or in conjunction with one another to create highly individualized and effective treatment plans. So although prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer diagnosed in American men, it also has one of the best survival rates.
According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database maintained by the National Cancer Institute, all stages of prostate cancer have a combined survival rate of 97.8%. For local and regional stages of prostate cancer, where cancer has not spread at all or far beyond the prostate gland, the survival rate is nearly 100%.
Having a high survival rate is in part attributed to the fact that it can be found early and carefully monitored through regular screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends all men start prostate cancer screening by age 50 at the latest. Screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society for prostate cancer are as follows:
- Age 50 for men who have an average risk of prostate cancer
- Age 45 for men with a high risk of prostate cancer (if you have an immediate family member under 65 that has been diagnosed with prostate cancer or you are African American).
- Age 40 for men with a very high risk for prostate cancer (if you have more than one immediate relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65).
4. It's More Common in African-American Men
Compared to men of other races and ethnicities, African-American men and Caribbean men of African descent are more likely to develop prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. African-American men are also at more than double the risk of dying due to prostate cancer. They're also more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age, experience more serious forms of the cancer, and they tend not to receive a diagnosis until later stages of the disease.
Compared to white men and African-American men, the groups least likely to develop prostate cancer are Asian-Americans and Latinos. Although the racial and ethnic disparities associated with prostate cancer are quite apparent, the reasons behind them are not yet understood.
5. Young Men Can Get Prostate Cancer
One of the most surprising facts about prostate cancer is that young men can also get the disease. One study reports that about 10% of prostate cancer cases today are diagnosed in men aged 55 or below. Although it is less common for younger men to develop prostate cancer, these patients tend to have the most aggressive forms of the disease.
If anyone in your immediate family has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you could be at an increased risk. You might want to talk to your doctor about beginning routine prostate cancer screening sooner than the usual age, which is 50.
6. Early Prostate Cancer Usually Has No Symptoms
One of the most asymptomatic types of cancer, individuals with early prostate cancer often experience no symptoms. As a result, it's most commonly diagnosed during routine screening rather than due to a patient's current symptoms.
Although they're more commonly experienced during later stages, symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- A weak or interrupted flow of urination
- Burning or pain with urination
- Erectile dysfunction (difficulty having an erection)
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood present in urine and/or semen
- Pain and/or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
- Numbness or weakness in the feet and legs
- Loss of bowel and/or bladder control
While these symptoms can indicate prostate cancer, they're also commonly experienced due to other health concerns such as prostatitis or a condition that causes the non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Since the early detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer can't depend on the development of symptoms, routine screening process has been developed. Regular screening of those who are considered at risk of developing prostate cancer enables early diagnosis and more effective treatment. This allows men to live long, active lives following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
If you or a loved one is over the age of 50 or in another high-risk category, be sure to schedule a regular prostate cancer screening exam with your general practitioner every year.
7. Potential Radiation Therapy Side Effects Can Be Reduced
One of the concerns many men have about prostate cancer treatment is the effects it can have on how their body functions afterwards. Radiation therapy performed on the prostate can sometimes inadvertently damage the rectum because it’s located close by. As a result, bowel problems, such as diarrhea and rectal leakage, can be long-lasting side effects of radiation therapy experienced by some men.
Facing potentially uncomfortable and unpleasant side effects such as these can be a deterrent to men who are seeking treatment for prostate cancer. There are now ways to reduce the risk of unintentional rectal damage throughout a patient's radiation therapy.
SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is designed to reduce the radiation exposure of the rectum during radiation therapy. Placed between the rectum and prostate gland, SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel reduces the side effects of prostate cancer treatment by distancing the rectum from the treatment site. With more than 50,000 patients treated worldwide, clinical studies have shown SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel to be safe and effective.
If you've received a prostate cancer diagnosis and are seeking treatment via radiation therapy, ask your oncologist whether SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel could help you avoid these unpleasant treatment side effects.
Stay Vigilant to Protect Your Health
While many men put off going to the doctor for regular checkups, especially a prostate check, it’s really important to talk about your screening schedule based on your family history, risk factors, and personal health history.
Originally published September 2017. Revised September 2020.