What is Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a cancer that occurs in the prostate gland found in males only. This gland produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. The cancer develops when a tumor forms within the prostate gland.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. According to the National Cancer Registry of Trinidad and Tobago, Prostate cancer was the highest among the top ten cancer deaths during the period January 2016 to December 2020 (18.2%), as well as the leading cause of cancer deaths in males. Cases during the same period were recorded in males 55 and over, with approximately 20% of the advance cases occurring in men aged between 70 to 74 years.
Are you at Risk of Getting Prostate Cancer?
The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown, but what is known is that the risk of prostate cancer in men increases as they age (it is most common after age 50). Other risk factors include:
- Family history - If a blood relative, such as a parent, sibling or child, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, or even if your family has a very strong history of breast cancer, your risk may be increased.
- Obesity - People who are obese may have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with persons considered to have a healthy weight.
- Ethnicity - For reasons not yet determined, males of African descent have a greater risk of prostate cancer compared to people of other ethnicity. In males of African descent, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.
What are Some Signs of Prostate Problems?
Prostate cancer may present with no signs or symptoms in its early stages. However, in the more advanced stages, signs and symptoms include:
- Trouble urinating
- Painful or burning urination
- A frequent need to urinate, especially at night, sometimes urgently
- Decreased force in the stream of urine (Weak, dribbling, or interrupted urine flow)
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Bone pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Erectile dysfunction
Types of Screenings for Prostate Cancer
One of the best ways to reduce the chances of getting cancer is through screening, which will detect pre-cancer or early-stage cancer in individuals that show no signs. This can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. There are two main types of screening for prostate cancer:
- Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - a common method of checking the health of the prostate. In this exam, your health care provider feels the prostate for lumps or anything unusual.
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test - a blood test that measures the prostate specific antigen, a protein in the blood that is released by the prostate. When the body’s PSA level is high, this may be an indicator of the presence of prostate cancer.
Should some abnormality be found, your doctor will probably recommend you to a specialist who will request the following tests to assess the problem more precisely:
- A prostate ultrasound - this can identify any suspicious growths or areas of the prostate gland and can also determine if the prostate gland is enlarged
- A prostate biopsy - the gold standard test for diagnosing prostate cancer
- A pelvic MRI – creates images of the area between the hip bones (pelvis) to help find tumors in the prostate
Prevention and Wellness Tips for Prostate Cancer
You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer if you:
- Get screened regularly - If you have a higher risk for Prostate Cancer, screening at an earlier age, as well as more frequently, is recommended.
- Talk to your doctor about increased risk of prostate cancer - If you have a very high risk of prostate cancer, you and your doctor may consider medications or other preventative methods to reduce the risk.
- Eat a healthy diet - Eat healthy by including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. (Eat at least 2-4 servings of fruits every day and include vegetables in every meal). Also choose foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals so that you can maintain healthy levels of vitamins in your body. Reduce unhealthy fat intake (trans fats and saturated fats) and focus on eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids (seeds, nuts, fish).
- Increase physical activity - Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight and improves your mood. Thirty (30) minutes of exercise a day can greatly improve your health.
- Maintain a Healthy weight - If you need to lose weight, add more exercise and reduce the number of calories you eat each day. Ask your doctor for help creating a plan for healthy weight loss.
