September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate Cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in seven men. It is 100% treatable when detected early.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we want to pass along some information that you or your spouse may find helpful.

What is the Prostate?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis just in front of the rectum. Its primary function is to produce fluid that protects and enriches sperm. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate, from the blade to the penis, allowing urine to flow out of the body.

Risk for Prostate Cancer

A number of factors determine the risk for prostate cancer, some of which are genetic.

Age

Typically, prostate cancer is a disease associated with age. The older a man gets, the more likely he is to contract the disease. More than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, and the average age of onset in the United States is 69 years.

Race

African-American men stand a greater risk of developing prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.

Family History

A man with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer is twice as likely to develop the disease, a risk that is further increased if the cancer was diagnosed in family members at a younger age (less than 55 years of age) or if it affected three or more family members.

Diet & Lifestyle

Studies show that a healthy diet and lifestyle can play a role in lowering a man's risk of prostate cancer but that drinking lots of milk could increase the risk.

Other risk factors include environmental exposures, having a vasectomy, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or STD (sexually transmitted disease).

Can Prostate Cancer Be Avoided?

No studies prove conclusively that men can avoid prostate cancer. However, there are steps they can take to reduce or delay the risk such as:

- Eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise;

- Maintain a healthy weight;

- Avoid eating too much red meat and consuming dairy products;

- Avoid taking too much calcium (don't exceed more than 1,500 mg per day);

- Eat more fish – evidence suggests that fish can help protect against prostate cancer because they have "good fat,” mainly omega-3 fatty acids;

- Avoid trans fatty acids (found in margarine);

- Incorporate tomatoes cooked with olive oil into your meals, along with cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower;

- Avoid smoking;

- Drink alcohol in moderation;

- Avoid over-supplementation with megavitamins. Too many vitamins, especially folate, may fuel the cancer; if you follow a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils you are not likely to need a multivitamin;

- Reduce stress; relax and enjoy life.

Prostate Cancer Screening Exams

If you are age 50 or over, if you are age 40 or over and African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer, every year get a PSA test and rectal examination, which are screenings performed by your primary care doctor or an SMH urologist.

The PSA Test

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate released into the bloodstream in small amounts.

PSA levels are measured in nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood, or ng/mL. Men with a PSA levels higher than 4 ng/ml are considered to be at risk for prostate cancer.

The Digital Rectal Exam

The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) is just what it sounds like. The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for irregularities such as enlargement, unusual shape and texture.

By starting young, you stand a better chance of catching the disease early before it has a chance to spread.

Types of Prostate Cancer Treatment

Several types of treatment are available and include:

Active Surveillance - Also known as "watchful waiting," active surveillance is a choice for older men who have a slower growing cancer that appears to be low in volume. During this time, the doctor monitors growth of the cancer via a DRE and PSA.

Prostatectomy - This constitutes surgical removal of the prostate.

Radiation Therapy - Radiation involves the killing of cancer cells and surrounding tissues with directed radioactive exposure.

Hormone Therapy - Also known as androgen-deprivation therapy or ADT, hormone therapy is designed to stop testosterone, the principal hormone fueling prostate cancer cells, from being released or from acting on the prostate cells.

Chemotherapy - The use of chemicals to kill or halt the growth of cancer cells.

Other options - Two other options include cryotherapy (freezing the cancer cells), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which heats the cells to death. Newer therapies have also emerged, which you can read about here.

Three Things You Can Do Now

1. Get checked - If you are a male over the age of 50 (or 40 if you're African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer on your father’s side), get your prostate checked.

2. Donate – Make a donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help fund research to find a cure.

3. Spread the word - There is less emphasis placed on generating awareness about prostate cancer than breast cancer, so do your part to spread the word.