What every man should know about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in America, with about one in eight men diagnosed in their lifetime. It usually occurs in men 65 years of age and older. Usually, doctors suggest that patients start screening in their mid-50s. But if you are predisposed to the disease (prostate cancer is more likely in black men and anyone with a family history of the disease) then you should speak to a healthcare professional about the possibility of getting tested. earlier.

According to Dr. Mark Pomerantz, a medical oncologist at the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, many people are reluctant to get tested because of the assumption that it is a digital rectal exam. (Digital like in a finger, not a computer.) By checking your prostate this may be helpful, it is not the main method used by doctors since the mid-1990s. Your doctor will probably start with a blood test for PSA (prostate specific antigen). Additional screening will be necessary if your level is high.

Screening is important because many people diagnosed with prostate cancer have no symptoms. Common symptoms, including changes in urination, erectile dysfunction, and bone pain, can also occur in men as they age for reasons unrelated to cancer. By being screened specifically, you put yourself in the best position to spot things early.

A diagnosis of cancer can naturally be devastating. There is a lot of fear associated with the news and a lot of questions about what will follow. But the silver lining of a positive prostate cancer diagnosis is that once you know something is wrong, you can start figuring out what to do about it.

How serious is a diagnosis of prostate cancer?

While prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States after lung cancer, the five-year survival rate for people with prostate cancer is 98%. The ten-year survival rate remains extremely high when the disease is managed carefully and, if at all, aggressively.

In other words, while no type of cancer diagnosis is good news, prostate cancer is not normally fatal. After recovery, men will need to continue with regular exams and tests. Some need continuous hormonal treatment. There is a broad spectrum of prostate cancers. Some exist in patients but grow so slowly that they will never cause problems in their lifetime. Others can spread very quickly. Once prostate cancer is found, your doctor will be able to give you the appropriate treatment.

What kind of treatment will you need?

The type of treatment you will need depends on how aggressive and how progressing the cancer is. Usually, prostate cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both. If surgery is needed, Dr. Pomerantz notes that patients can expect to spend a night in the hospital with a recovery of four to six weeks. During this stage, you will be able to perform most of the daily activities, but you should avoid heavy lifting and vigorous physical exertion.

Radiation therapy for the prostate is usually given for four to eight weeks, Monday through Friday. Radiation therapy is often accompanied by hormonal therapy for up to two years, which has been shown to be synergistic with the treatment. Thereafter, patients should expect more or less complete physical recovery, except for potential side effects.

What are the side effects of prostate cancer after recovery?

Surgery for prostate cancer takes place in a busy area of ​​the body. There are nerves that run along the prostate that are responsible for sexual function and continence. If the nerves are damaged, men may have problems with erectile dysfunction or with bladder control. While prostate cancer surgery is fairly straightforward, it is difficult to leave the nerves intact afterwards. Your urologist will explain to you how damage can be avoided.