A Guide To Prostate Cancer Prevention

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States, after skin cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), doctors diagnosed an estimated 200,000 cases in 2020 alone. Prostate cancer affects about one in eight men.

"But that risk nearly doubles to about one in five if you're African American or you have a family history of prostate cancer," said James Siegert, DO, a board-certified surgeon practicing at Franciscan Health Urology Olympia Fields.

The good news? Making smart choices in how we live can make a difference in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. More men today are doing what they can to prevent the disease. They're getting active, eating better and getting regular check-ups with their provider.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in a man's prostate, a tiny, walnut-shaped gland situated between the pubic bone and rectum that makes the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is usually a slow-growing cancer and often curable.

Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, it is very treatable and may not cause serious harm if found while still isolated in the prostate gland.

About 90% of men with prostate cancer have a five-year survival rate, and more than 60% live 10 years or longer after the disease is discovered and treated.

Who Should Get A Prostate Cancer Screening?

"We screen as early as age 40 in some men, according to guidelines from the American Urological Association," he said. "For example, we screen early in men with risk factors such as African American ancestry or a family history. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. They're also twice as likely to die of prostate cancer. There's something on a genetic, molecular and biological level that causes this disease to behave much more aggressively in these men."

Dr. Siegert believes in early screening for prostate cancer. As the director of the Urology Residency Program and chairman of the Department of Surgery, Dr. Siegert said multiple trials have shown the greatest benefit in cancer detection when prostate cancer screening occurs between the ages of 55 and 70. Screening can make sense if the person is in reasonably good health and understands the limitations of what a screen can show.

What Is a Prostate Cancer Screening Like?

A prostate cancer screening typically consists of digital rectal exam, which physically checks the prostate for abnormal areas, or a PSA, or prostate specific antigen, blood test. The PSA test examines the level of prostate-specific antigens in the blood.

In general, results below 4.0 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) are seen as normal. An elevated prostate-specific antigen level may indicate the presence of prostate cancer and may prompt additional testing or a biopsy to confirm whether cancer is present.

What Are The Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer?

Because early detection can make all the difference, understanding your risk factors for prostate cancer is crucial. As we age, screening makes even more sense, especially because more than 75% of diagnoses occur in men older than 65.

Prostate cancer usually has no early warning signs, so men need to get screened, especially if they have these risk factors:

Advanced age

Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases as you get older. Men ages 50 and older are at higher risk. Almost 2/3 of all prostate cancers are found in men over age 65.

Being African American

Prostate cancer occurs more frequently in Black men - and they're more likely to have an aggressive form of the disease.

"Interestingly African-American men have a much higher of prostate cancer than both white men and Asian men," radiation oncologist Sandeep Bhave, MD, an independent physician who practices at the Franciscan Health Cancer Center in Indianapolis, said. "For that reason, African-American men should discuss with their doctor about screening around the age of 45."

Family History Of Prostate Cancer

If prostate cancer or breast cancer runs in your family, you may have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. "If you have a family history of prostate cancer, it's prudent start talking to your physician about screening at age of 40," Dr. Bhave said.

Diet

Men who have a diet high in red meat or high-fat dairy foods and low in vegetables and fruits may have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer.

"If you have a high-fat diet, reducing the amount of fats in your diet can also reduce your risk of prostate cancer," Dr. Bhave said.

Exposure To Chemicals In The Workplace

Men who were in contact with toxic chemicals at work may have a higher risk for prostate cancer. This includes firefighters. There is also some evidence that men who were exposed to Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War, might be at higher risk for prostate cancer. But the exact link is not clear.

By understanding these risk factors, men can take proactive steps toward reducing their prostate cancer risk.

What Lifestyle Choices Can Help Prevent Prostate Cancer?

Researchers found that among men at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer, the men who maintained a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to die of the disease over nearly three decades.

"Healthy" meant they exercised regularly, didn't smoke, kept their weight down and ate fish over processed meats. However, healthy habits did not appear to protect men from developing prostate cancer in the first place. The research suggests that a healthy lifestyle may decrease your risk of aggressive prostate cancer - which is much more important.

While genetics plays a significant role in determining risk levels, a study published in the journal European Urology offered a hopeful message. Lifestyle changes, it found, can tilt the survival odds in your favor, even for those with a family history of prostate cancer.

In the study, men who committed to six healthy lifestyle choices reduced their risk of dying from prostate cancer by 45 percent. The essential decisions they made included:

• Eating a healthy diet full of fatty fish, tomato products and limited processed meats
• Getting regular vigorous exercise
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Stopping smoking
• Talking to their provider about risk factors

Of all the lifestyle habits these men adopted, exercise seemed most important, followed by maintaining a healthy weight. So, to reduce your risk, it's important to embrace an active, health-conscious lifestyle, exercise regularly, eat wisely and keep tabs on your weight. These choices help reduce your risk and enhance your overall quality of life.

How Do Genetics Play A Role In Prostate Cancer?

The European Urology study found that men with genetic risk scores in the top 25 percent were over four times more likely to die of the disease compared to those in the bottom 25 percent.

Men can understand their genetic risk based on family history. According to the American Cancer Society, having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man's risk of developing the disease. But based on the findings, a healthy lifestyle could help lower the excess risk linked to family history.

While most men today may not know their polygenic risk score - a comprehensive assessment of genetic risk factors - advancements in medical science could soon change this. By making it more accessible, this score could one day offer personalized insights into one's health track.

What Are The Signs Of Prostate Cancer?

In the early stages, prostate cancer doesn't cause any symptoms. Usually, prostate cancer grows slowly. But as it progresses to an advanced stage, signs and symptoms surface. These symptoms include:

• Frequent urination or trouble urinating
• Painful and burning urination
• Weak urine flow
• Erectile dysfunction
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pelvic discomfort
• Painful ejaculation
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Bone pain
• General body stiffness

These signs can also indicate other illnesses. So, if you have any signs, you should seek an evaluation from a specialist in urological services who focuses on conditions of the male reproductive system.

Take Action: Your Health Is In Your Hands

With more than 200,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the U.S., the need for prevention has never been greater. You can safeguard your health by embracing healthy lifestyle choices, committing to regular conversations with your provider, and staying informed about the risk factors. These actions also make you part of a community of men dedicated to beating the odds.