Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in men. However, the odds of surviving a prostate cancer diagnosis are very high, especially when detected and treated early.
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system, located in front of the rectum and below the bladder.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate behave abnormally and multiply without control forming a malignant tumour. In general, it is a slow-growing cancer.
Autopsy results of men who died from conditions other than prostate cancer reveal many older men, and even some younger men, had prostate cancer, but it never affected them when they were alive and neither they nor their doctors ever knew they had it.
Although we do not know what causes all cases of prostate cancer, we do know there are certain risk factors associated with the disease.
Different cancers have different risk factors. One of the most significant risk factors for prostate cancer is ethnic background, with men of African descent being at greatest risk. Men in the Caribbean, who are of African descent, are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
Family history, particularly if your brother or father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, can double a man’s risk for also developing the condition. This risk is even greater if the diagnosis was made at an early age.
There is also evidence to suggest some cases of prostate cancer may be caused by inheriting a damaged gene, for example, a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. This is the same gene associated with breast and ovarian cancers in women.
The role of diet is controversial, especially when discussing the prevention of prostate cancer. Some studies have suggested men who eat foods rich in a substance called lycopenes, such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon and papaya may lower their risk of prostate cancer. Foods rich in selenium including liver, seafood, some grains and nuts may also lower risk. The most common alarm bell for a man signalling prostate cancer is a change in urination patterns.
However, symptoms can also be due to other medical conditions, including benign prostate disease. Males are therefore urged to consult their physician whenever they notice any of the following: a weak or interrupted flow of urine; trouble urinating; pain or burning during urination; frequency of urination especially at night; urgency, or blood in the urine. Painful ejaculation could also be an indication cancer is present.
Once prostate cancer has been diagnosed, there are a range of treatment options available and a man should be guided by the advice of his physician. Many of these treatments have two common side effects – impotence and incontinence – but these can often be managed by medication and other means often allowing a man to lead a normal life after prostate cancer.
November is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and a number of events are being held throughout the Cayman Islands to raise awareness of the disease. Victoria Anderson is project coordinator of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
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