For many older males a diagnosis of prostate cancer is a frightening experience. However, if detected early while it’s still confined to the prostate gland — there’s a better chance that treatment will be successful. Treating cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland is more difficult.
Prostate cancer often doesn’t produce any symptoms in its early stages. That’s why many cases aren’t detected until it has spread beyond the prostate.
Signs and symptoms may include:
• Dull pain in the lower pelvic area
• Urge to urinate
• Difficulty urinating
• Pain during urination
• Weak flow and dribbling
• A feeling that the bladder isn’t empty
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Blood in the urine
• Painful ejaculation
• General pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
If left untreated, prostate cancer may spread to others areas of the body where it can cause significant harm. Some forms of prostate cancer are very aggressive and spread quickly.
Main risk factors include:
Age:
After age 50, the chance of developing prostate cancer increases.
Race/ethnicity:
African-American men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer.
Family history:
If a close family member – your father or brother – has prostate cancer, the risk is greater than that of the average male.
Diet:
A high-fat diet and obesity may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
High levels of testos-terone:
Men who have high levels of testosterone are more likely to develop prostate cancer than men who have lower levels.
Screening for prostate cancer includes:
Digital rectal exam (DRE):
Inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any abnormalities in the texture, shape or size of the gland.
Prostate-specific antigen(PSA) test:
A blood sample is drawn and analyzed for PSA, a substance that’s naturally produced by the prostate gland to help liquefy semen (see additional information).
Transrectal ultrasound:
A physician may use transrectal ultrasound to further evaluate the prostate. A small probe is inserted into the rectum. The probe uses sound waves to get a “picture” of the prostate gland.
The most common treatments for prostate cancer are:
Radiation Hormone therapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Cryotherapy (destroying cells by freezing tissue)
Watchful waiting
During watchful waiting no treatment is provided. Medications, radiation and surgery aren’t used. Watchful waiting may bean option if the cancer isn’t causing symptoms, is growing very slowly, and is small and remains confined to one area of the prostate.
CancerCare Center:
The medical team at Trinity’s CancerCare Center is highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. For more information call 857-3535.The Center is located at 831 South Broadway, Minot.
What is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test?
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. The doctor takes a blood sample, and the amount of PSA is measured in a laboratory. Because PSA is produced by the body and can be used to detect disease, it is sometimes called a biological marker or tumor marker.
It is normal for men to have low levels of PSA in their blood; however, prostate cancer or benign (not cancerous) conditions can increase PSA levels. As menage, both benign prostate conditions and prostate cancer become more frequent. The most common benign prostate conditions are prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (enlargement of the prostate).There is no evidence that prostatitis or BPH cause cancer, but it is possible for a man to have one or both of these conditions and to develop prostate cancer as well.
PSA levels alone do not give doctors enough information to distinguish between benign prostate conditions and cancer. However, the doctor will take the result of the PSA test into account when deciding whether to check further for signs of prostate cancer.
How are PSA test results reported?
PSA test results report the level of PSA detected in the blood. The test results are usually reported as nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/ml) of blood. In the past, most doctors considered PSA values below 4.0 ng/ml as normal. However, recent research found prostate cancer in men with PSA levels below 4.0 ng/ml (2). Many doctors are now using the following ranges, with some variation:
0 to 2.5 ng/ml is low
2.6 to 10 ng/ml is slightly to moderately elevated
10 to 19.9 ng/ml is moderately elevated
20 ng/ml or more is significantly elevated
There is no specific normal or abnormal PSA level. However, the higher a man’s PSA level, the more likely it is that cancer is present. But because various factors can cause PSA levels to fluctuate, one abnormal PSA test does not necessarily indicate a need for other diagnostic tests. When PSA levels continue to rise over time, other tests may be needed.
During the 2007 State Fair, 1,072 men participated in a free prostate cancer screening where blood was drawn for PSA testing. Of that total, 1,021 men were from ND (95.24 percent); 51 men were from out of state (4.76 percent).
Among the 1,072 participants, 70 showed positive results, including four males from out-of-state. The balance (66) was made up of males from ND. Locally, 26 positives were found among the 448 Minot males who were screened; 40 positives were found among 573 males from ND cities other than Minot. Seventy percent of all males with positive results were between the ages of 48-67. Participants in the screening came from 17 states, two Canadian Provinces and Puerto Rico.
This event was co-sponsored by Trinity Health, U.S. Senator Kent Conrad, and The Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation.
Taken from the
September 2007 HealthTalk
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Contact for Media Relations:
Mary Muhlbradt
701-857-5116 - phone
701-833-3341 – cell phone
701-857-5683 - fax
mary.muhlbradt@trinityhealth.org
Randy Schwan, Vice President
Marketing and Community Education
701-857-5635 - phone
701-857-5683 - fax
randy.schwan@trinityhealth.org
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