One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but with early detection and proper care, the disease is curable.
Dr. Bilawal Ahmed, a medical oncologist with Regional One Health Cancer Care, urges men to be vigilant about risk factors, symptoms and screening.
Urinary problems and pain in the back, hips or pelvis can be signs of prostate cancer, so talk to your health care provider if you’re experiencing any of these issues.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men, especially as they get older – but thanks to excellent screening and treatment options, many patients can be cured.
Regional One Health Cancer Care medical oncologist Bilawal Ahmed, MD hosted a “Lunch & Learn” to encourage awareness and early diagnosis. “One in six men will get prostate cancer during his lifetime,” he said. “It is something men should take seriously, and we can prevent it if we take the right steps.”
Dr. Ahmed encouraged men to take charge of their health by managing their risk factors, being vigilant about symptoms, and seeking proper screening and treatment.
Know your risk
Like many cancers, aging increases risk of prostate cancer, with men over 50 more likely to be diagnosed. “We all make cancer cells daily, and our immune system is the first line of defense. When we grow older, our immune system naturally goes down,” Dr. Ahmed explained. “As a person lives longer, their chances of having cancer increase.”
“One in six men will get prostate cancer during his lifetime,” said medical oncologist Bilawal Ahmed, MD. “It is something men should take seriously, and we can prevent it if we take the right steps.”
Men with African-Caribbean, African or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry are more likely to develop prostate cancer, and family history also increases risk. “Family history doesn’t have to be of prostate cancer – it can be other cancers running in the family, like breast cancer,” Dr. Ahmed said. “One genetic mutation can cause different types of cancer in a family.”
In terms of risk factors men can control, obesity is the main issue. While it does not increase risk of diagnosis, it does make it more likely the disease will be aggressive. Dr. Ahmed recommends maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
He stressed one thing that is not a risk factor is having a vasectomy. “A lot of people think that a vasectomy increases your chances of prostate cancer. That is a misperception,” he said.
Watch for symptoms
Since many of the risk factors associated with prostate cancer can’t be avoided, it’s important to be vigilant of symptoms to catch the disease early.
Difficulty starting urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, urinating often (especially at night), trouble emptying the bladder, pain or burning during urination, and blood in the urine or semen are possible signs of prostate cancer. Other symptoms include unexplained weight loss and pain in the back, hips or pelvis that doesn’t go away.
“These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer,” Dr. Ahmed stressed. “But you should talk to your health care provider so they can find out what’s going on.”
Take advantage of screening
Primary care doctors can screen for prostate cancer with a simple blood test. All average-risk men should be screened annually starting at age 50, and men with a higher risk or who are experiencing symptoms should be screened earlier.
The blood test measures the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in the blood.
Doctors can screen for prostate cancer with a simple blood test. All average-risk men should start screening at age 50.
Dr. Ahmed said patients with high levels are typically referred to urology for additional testing, which can include a biopsy, CT scan, and bone scan. Men who are under age 50 when diagnosed may also be referred for genetic counseling to see if their cancer has a genetic component.
Expert treatment leads to excellent outcomes
The earlier prostate cancer is identified, the better the treatment options and outcomes.
Some patients only require surveillance, Dr. Ahmed said. They are closely monitored through PSA tests and biopsies and treated only if the cancer grows or causes symptoms.
For early-stage prostate cancer, treatment is aimed at curing the disease.
Patients can have surgery to remove the prostate, and may also need radiation to kill remaining cancer cells. Other patients are treated through radiation alone, or through Androgen Deprivation Therapy that lowers the level of testosterone in the body.
If cancer has spread outside of the prostate, the treatment is palliative, or aimed at improving quality of life and helping the patient live longer. Dr. Ahmed said options include chemotherapy, newer-generation anti-androgens, targeted therapy, and clinical trials.
“The good news is, people live for a very long time, regardless of the stage. Even with stage 4, they can live for years,” Dr. Ahmed said.
Learn more!
Dr. Ahmed encourages men to talk to their primary care provider about their risk, screening needs, and any symptoms they’re experiencing. “There are a lot of options for screening and treatment, but the bottom line is prevention is better than the cure,” he said.