Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
While prostate cancer education is important year-round, September is a special month for Prostate Cancer Awareness. It is a time of year when the community, health care experts, and health advocates make an extra effort to raise awareness about prostate health and cancer.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland found only in men below the bladder, responsible for producing seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men—about 34,500 deaths estimated this year—and there are often no symptoms. Some more facts about prostate cancer:
- It’s the second most common form of cancer in American men after skin cancer.
- About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
- About 268,490 new cases of prostate cancer are estimated this year.
- Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in non-Hispanic Black men.
- About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66.
Many men do not experience symptoms with prostate cancer but for those who do, symptoms may include:
- Trouble urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Bone pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Erectile dysfunction
Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer die with it, not from it. In fact, more than 3.1 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. At 5 years, over 99% of men with localized or advanced prostate cancer survive. Once it has spread to other parts of the body, the survival rate decreases but men being diagnosed now have a better outlook due to significant advancements in treatment.
Early Detection
Early detection is so important with prostate cancer because so many men do not experience symptoms and it is very treatable when found early. However, prostate cancer screening recommendations can vary. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends obtaining a baseline PSA and digital rectal exam in average risk men 45-75 years of age. In those at higher risk (family history of certain cancers, African-American, exposure to Agent Orange), screening should start at age 40. Shared decision making with your provider is important when determining whether to screen for prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening options so, together, you can determine what the best decision is for you.
One of the most common screening tests for prostate cancer is a PSA blood test. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by prostate gland cells (both normal cells and cancer cells). PSA is mostly found in semen, but a small amount is also found in blood. Although PSA levels can rise due to prostate cancer, they can also rise for non-cancer reasons such as an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia), older age, infection/inflammation, ejaculation, or prostate stimulating activity such as riding a bicycle. Certain medications can also lower your PSA artificially, so it is important your doctor knows what medications you are taking.
Depending on your PSA level/trend, digital rectal exam, and risk factors, further testing may be recommended. This may include additional urine or blood biomarkers to determine your cancer risk, imaging such as a prostate MRI to evaluate for suspicious lesions, and/or a prostate biopsy, which can be done in the office or under sedation in the operating room for your comfort.
The Long-term Effects of Prostate Cancer
Despite the obvious benefits to diagnosing and treating prostate cancer, there are unfortunate downsides to its treatment. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy can all lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).
Whether men experience sexual dysfunction after treatment is most dependent on pre-treatment potency and the type of treatment they had. Anywhere from 25-85% of men report sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment, however these rates have improved with better treatment technology and techniques.
Thankfully, there are options to improve erectile function after your cancer has been cured. These include oral or injectable medications, and surgery to implant a penile prosthetic with excellent patient satisfaction.
Erectile dysfunction is not just a physical symptom, but one that deeply affects a man’s mental health, confidence, intimate relationships and general quality of life. If you want to learn more about overcoming ED, contact your local Urologist and start the conversation.
About Dr. Lue
Dr. Kathy Lue is a Urologist with Executive Urology of Fisher-Titus in Norwalk, Sandusky, and Bellevue. Providing patient centered care is Dr. Lue’s primary focus when treating all areas of Urology, including oncology, sexual medicine, and minimally invasive surgery. If you think you might be experiencing erectile dysfunction or another urological concern, learn more at fishertitus.org/urology or schedule an appointment by calling 419-627-0363.
