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Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer affects one in 11 Australian men and is common in the over-65 age group. Around 3,000 Victorian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Many cases are not life threatening because the cancer may be slow growing and usually occurs in older men.
Symptoms:
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
• Difficulties starting and stopping urination
• Pain or a burning sensation when passing urine
• Urinating more often than usual, particularly at night
• The feeling that the bladder can’t be fully emptied
• Dribbling urine
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Pain during ejaculation.
All of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer. You should discuss them with your doctor.
The cause is unknown:
The exact causes of prostate cancer are unknown. However, the chance of getting prostate cancer increases:
• As you get older
• If you have a father or brother who had prostate cancer. The risk becomes greater if they were diagnosed at an early age.
Diagnosing prostate cancer:
Prostate cancer is diagnosed using a number of tests, which may include:
• PSA test - the prostate makes a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). Large quantities of PSA in the blood can indicate prostate cancer or other prostate problems.
• Digital rectal examination - using a gloved finger in the back passage, the doctor feels for enlargement and irregularities of the prostate.
• Biopsy -Six to 12 tissue samples are taken from the prostate and examined in a laboratory for the presence of cancer cells.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, other tests may be needed to see if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.
Treatment options:
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on a range of factors, such as the man’s age, physical condition, the stage of his prostate cancer and his personal preference. Treatment options include:
• Watchful waiting - sometimes your doctor will advise that treatment is not needed. However, you will still need to be examined and have PSA tests regularly to monitor any changes.
• Surgery - removal of the prostate is called a radical prostatectomy and will involve a six to 10 day stay in hospital. If the prostate can’t be removed, other surgery may be performed to remove blockages in the prostate to relieve urination problems. This operation is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
• Radiotherapy - x-rays are used to target and destroy cancer cells. Treatment usually lasts a few weeks, although this depends on the cancer and the person’s general health.
• Brachytherapy - a radioactive implant is placed inside the prostate to target cancer cells. The implant may be temporary or permanent.
• Hormone therapy - prostate cancer relies on the hormone testosterone for growth. Hormone therapy reduces testosterone levels and ‘starves’ the tumour, this is given with either medication or hormone injections. Sometimes surgical removal of the testicles (orchidectomy) is suggested which has the same effect.
If you have any concerns over any men’s health issues then please seek some immediate advice from your GP or specialist.