Facts About Prostate Cancer Every Man Should Know

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Facts about prostate cancer every man should know

With increasing knowledge about the catastrophic consequences of cancers, surprisingly less is been said about prostate cancer; a silent killer of men. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancers in men after lung cancer and it is second only to skin cancer as the most common cancer in men. This is one of the few cancers that are sex-specific, i.e it affects only one sex (in this case men). Women don’t have a prostate, so cannot develop prostate cancer.

 

The prostate

It is a gland about the size of a walnut and lies below the urinary bladder. It’s function is to secrete an alkaline fluid, milky in appearance. The fluid constitutes roughly 30% of the volume of the semen along with sperm and seminal fluid. The average weight of the prostate in adult males is 11grams.

 

Risk factors for prostate cancer

Wondering who is at risk of prostate cancer. Here are some important prostate risk factors.

  • Increasing age: Men older than 75 years account for two-thirds of prostate cancer deaths
  • Family history: Individuals with first degree relatives (father, son or brother) who have prostate cancer are at higher risk of developing the disease.
  • Race: More common in blacks. African Americans have the highest rate in the world
  • Genetics: Although prostate cancer cannot be inherited some men inherit genes that predispose them to prostate cancer
  • Nutritional factors: Some nutrients have protective effects against prostate cancer and include soy protein, lycopene, vitamin E and selenium. On The other hand, increased fat intake raises the risk.

See: Breast Cancer NGO In Nigeria

Here is a good infographic that explains prostate cancer risk.

 

Symptoms

  • In early stages (confined to the prostate), there area usually no symptoms. Greater than 60% of prostate cancer patients are asymptomatic
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Sudden urge to urinate
  • Pain in the lower back or thighs
  • Swelling in the legs

 

Diagnosing prostate cancer

  • Blood test : Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a very useful test as prostate cancer causes an increase in this antigen. Increased PSA does not necessarily mean cancer as there are other factors that cause increased PSA. It is pertinent for increased levels to be investigated by a specialist.
  • Digital rectal examination (DRE): This involves a doctor examining the prostate by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum. This reveals distortion in the anatomy of the gland. Normal DRE findings do not rule prostate cancer though.
  • Biopsy: This involves the use of a special needle to harvest prostate tissue which is subjected to histology in order to view the cells.
  • Other modalities include radionuclear bone scan, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

 

Treatment

  • Hormone therapy: May involve androgen deprivation achieved by removal of the testes (orchidectomy) or by medical castration. Recently, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists have become useful
  • External beam radiotherapy
  • Brachytherapy: Involves implantation of radioactive seeds in the prostate
  • Surgery: Involve the removal of the gland and some surrounding tissues (radical prostatectomy)
  • Chemotherapy

 

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What to do

  • Early detection is key: Nearly 100% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in it’s early stages will be alive five years after diagnosis. Also, prostate cancer that is confined to the prostate has high cure rates but once it begins to spread, prognosis becomes poor

The American Cancer Society recommends that men who have reached 50 years should begin screening for the disease. Furthermore, men who have a first degree relative with prostate cancer before the age of 65 should begin screening at 40 years

  • Lifestyle changes: Some factors could possibly reduce your chances of developing prostate cancer.

– Nutrition: Eat a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while low in red meat and fats

– Quit smoking: A link has been established between smoking and prostate cancer

– Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

 

 

 

Michael Otorkpa is the President CMDA

University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Chapter

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Milking The Prostate Good For HealthIs Milking The Prostate Good For Health? Do Prostate Massages Help Prevent cancerDo Prostate Massages Help Prevent Cancer? How To Detect Prostate Cancer How To Detect Prostate Cancer  Sunscreen Causes Cancer : Facts vs Fiction Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, sun cream or suntan lotion, is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical products that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn. Skin cancer on the other hand is a condition that arises from the abnormal growth of skin cells due to exposure of the skin to the sun. This common form of cancer can also occur on areas of your skin not ordinarily exposed to sunlight. There are three major types of skin cancer namely: - Squamous cell carcinoma also referred to as squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC) - Basal cell carcinoma also referred to as basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), - Melanoma Globally ,skin cancer are the most common form of cancer accounting for about 40% of cases. The most prevalent type is non melanoma skin cancer(80% are basal-cell cancers and 20% squamous-cell skin cancers), which occurs in at least 2-3 million people per year. Non melanoma skin cancer rarely result in death. Does Sunscreen Cause Cancer? Avobenzone is an oil-soluble ingredient used in sunscreen products to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays. A new study published in the Chemosphere Journal, reported that avobenzone can break down when exposed to a combination of light and chlorinated water, such as in a swimming pool and it can degrade into some very harmful compounds, some of which are known to cause cancer. According to Dr. Abigail Waldman, Brigham and Women’s Dermatologist, “Anytime you put on a sunscreen or a lotion, it can react with chlorine and byproducts can form, which are chlorinated byproducts that can potentially be harmful and whether that's on your skin initially or it's floating in the pool and you get exposed, those are two main ways of having exposure,” Another angle many public health specialists are looking at is vitamin D deficiency which currently affects about 90% of the world’s population because the majority of individuals are not receiving healthy amounts of sun exposure. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with an elevated risk of nearly all types of cancers such as skin cancer as well as autoimmune and cardiovascular disease. A double-blind, randomized trial on sunscreen use and duration of sun exposure published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, reported that In epidemiologic studies, sunscreen use is associated with increased risk of cutaneous melanoma, basal cell skin cancer, and higher numbers of nevi. However, another study on the efficacy of daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin published in the Lancet reported that regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent. But the study also noted that the use of sunscreens on the skin can prevent sunburn but whether long-term use can prevent skin cancer is not known. Also, there is evidence that oral betacarotene supplementation lowers skin-cancer rates in animals, but there is limited evidence of its effect in human beings. Over ten years ago, the FDA admitted that they “are not aware of data demonstrating that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer an intergovernmental agency of the World Health Organization charged with the responsibility of conducting and coordinating research into the causes of cancer recommends that finding shade and using proper clothing articles such as hats should be the first barriers for UV radiation exposure. The agency also emphasized that “sunscreens should NOT be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun.”Sunscreen Causes Cancer : Facts vs Fiction
August 15, 2017 Men's HealthPublic Health Ng4 Comments
Public Health Ng
Public Health Nigeria an Interdisciplinary public health movement focused on health education, advancing fair public health policies, promoting fitness, healthy diets, responsible behavior, community health and general well-being.

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