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Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
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Prostate Cancer Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Treatment
Definition Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.
Symptoms • Symptoms of prostate cancer can include: • needing to pee more frequently, often during the night • needing to rush to the toilet • difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy) • straining or taking a long time while peeing • weak flow • feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully • blood in urine or blood in semen
causes It's not known exactly what causes prostate cancer, although several things can increase your risk of developing the condition. These include: • age – the risk rises as you get older, and most cases are diagnosed in men over 50 years of age • ethnic group – prostate cancer is more common among men of African-Caribbean and African descent than in Asian men • family history – having a brother or father who developed prostate cancer before age 60 seems to increase your risk of developing it; research also shows that having a close female relative who developed breast cancer may also increase your risk of developing prostate cancer
obesity – recent research suggests there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer, and a balanced diet and regular exercise may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer • diet – research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer, and there is some evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer
Risk factors • Age. The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially after age 50. Around 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in people who are 65 or older. Older adults who are diagnosed with prostate cancer can face unique challenges, specifically regarding cancer treatment. • Race. Black men in the United States, and other men of African ancestry, are diagnosed with prostate cancer more than men of other races. Black men are more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. • North American or northern European location. Prostate cancer occurs most often in North America and northern Europe. It also appears that prostate cancer is increasing among Asian people living in urbanized environments, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and North American and European cities, particularly among those who have a lifestyle with less physical activity and a less healthy diet.
Family history. Prostate cancer that runs in a family, called familial prostate cancer, makes up about 20% of all prostate cancers. This type of prostate cancer develops because of a combination of shared genes and shared environmental or lifestyle factors. • Hereditary prostate cancer, which is inheriting the risk from a relative, is rare and accounts for about 5% of all cases. Hereditary prostate cancer occurs when changes in genes, or mutations, are passed down within a family from 1 generation to the next. Hereditary prostate cancer may be suspected if a family history includes any of the following characteristics: • 3 or more first-degree relatives with prostate cancer • Prostate cancer in 3 generations on the same side of the family • 2 or more close relatives, such as a parent, sibling, child, grandparent, uncle, or nephew, on the same side of the family diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 55
If someone has a first-degree relative—meaning a parent, sibling, or child—with prostate cancer, their risk of developing prostate cancer is 2 to 3 times higher than the average risk. This risk increases even further with the number of relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer. • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome.HBOC is associated with germline, or inherited, DNA-repair mutations to the BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 genes. BRCA stands for “BReastCAncer.” HBOC is most associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women. However, people with HBOC also have an increased risk of developing breast cancer and a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are thought to cause only a small percentage of inherited prostate cancers. Those who have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations should consider screening for prostate cancer at an earlier age. Genetic testing may only be appropriate for families with prostate cancer that may also have HBOC. If you are concerned about this based on your own family history, please talk with a genetic counselor or doctor for more information.
Treatment Treatment for prostate cancer will depend on your individual circumstances. For many men with prostate cancer, no treatment will be necessary. When treatment is necessary, the aim is to cure or control the disease, so it affects everyday life as little as possible and does not shorten life expectancy. Sometimes, if the cancer has already spread, the aim is not to cure it but to prolong life and delay symptoms.
Ways to treatment • Decisions about your treatment • Active surveillance and watchful waiting • Surgery for prostate cancer • Hormone therapy • Radiotherapy • Treatment as part of a clinical trial • Treatment if your prostate cancer comes back • Follow up
