Men's Health
Prostate
Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer deaths in men. When detected early, before it has spread to
other organs, prostate cancer may be curable. A man's risk for prostate cancer
increases with age, and most cases develop in men over 65. Since it tends to
develop late in life and usually grows slowly, prostate cancer does not usually
shorten a man's life. However, the younger you are and the larger or more advanced
the cancer is, the more serious the disease may be.
There are no specific symptoms of
prostate cancer. Most men have no symptoms at all. In a few cases, it can cause
urinary symptoms very similar to those of prostate enlargement (See
Prostate Enlargement). In advanced cases, other symptoms, such as pain,
may develop if the cancer spreads to other organs or to the bones.
Prostate cancer sometimes runs in
families, is more common in African-American men, and tends to be more common
in men who eat a high-fat diet.
Eating a low-fat diet that includes
plenty of fruits and vegetables is the only known way to reduce your risk
for prostate cancer. There is some evidence that eating more foods that contain
cooked tomatoes (7 to 10 servings per week) may decrease your risk for prostate
cancer.
There is controversy about the value of using digital rectal exams
and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to screen all men for prostate
cancer. Using these tests to detect early prostate cancer may not improve
quality of life or prolong life, especially in men who are older or have other
serious health problems. Therefore, many experts are uncertain whether routine
digital rectal exams or PSA tests are appropriate for all men. Talk with your
doctor for more information about prostate cancer screening.
Prostate cancer treatment is tailored
to each individual. Work with your doctor to be sure that you will receive
the long-term benefits from the treatment you choose.
Learn all you can about the available
treatment options, which may include watchful waiting, so that
you and your doctor can select
the one best suited for you. Your age, overall health, other medical conditions,
and the characteristics of the cancer are all important factors to consider
when you make treatment decisions.
If any urinary symptoms (see Prostate
Enlargement on See Prostate
Enlargement) come on quickly, are bothersome enough that you want
help, or last longer than 2 months.
If you want to discuss screening for prostate cancer, especially
if you have a relative who developed prostate cancer.
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