Prostate Cancer: What You Should Know

Most men rarely think about their prostate gland. But they should. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. It impacts one in eight men, and your prostate cancer risk increases as you age.

If doctors detect prostate cancer early, it's easily treatable and five-year survival rates are near 100 percent. That's why it's important to know the signs when something is wrong with your prostate.

Here's what you need to know about prostate cancer symptoms, risk factors and treatments.

Key Takeaways: Prostate Cancer Symptoms & Screening and Treatment

• Prostate cancer risk quickly rises after age 50.
• Early-stage prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms, so routine prostate cancer screening is essential for early detection.
• Patients can work with their doctor to create a personalized treatment plan based on their screening results.

What Is A Prostate Gland?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. It sits below your bladder and wraps around your urethra, the tube that lets urine and semen leave your body. Your prostate produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It also makes a protein called protein-specific antigen (PSA). Doctors measure your PSA level to detect early signs of cancer.

What Are Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer?

In most cases, prostate cancer grows slowly. Early-stage disease usually produces few symptoms. Some men don't experience symptoms at all. But as prostate cancer advances, you can experience:

• Back or bone pain
• Blood in urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Pelvic discomfort
• Weak urine flow
• Weight loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk with your urologist. They can evaluate you and make an accurate diagnosis.

What Are Prostate Cancer Risk Factors?

Prostate cancer is rare in men under 40. Doctors diagnose roughly 60 percent of cases in men over 65. The American Cancer Society recommends men with average risk start prostate cancer screening at age 50, when the chances for developing the disease begin to increase rapidly. Men at higher risk should start screening at 40.

Any man can develop prostate cancer. But these factors increase your risk:

• Age: Prostate cancer risk begins to increase at age 50.
• Being Black: African American men and Caribbean men of African descent develop prostate cancer more often and at younger ages.
• Chemical exposures: Exposure to toxic chemicals, like arsenic, in the workplace can increase your risk.
• Diet: A diet high in red meat and full-fat dairy but low in fruits and vegetables may increase your prostate cancer risk.
• Family history: Prostate cancer can run in families. Having a father or brother with the disease doubles your risk. Your risk is even higher if several of your family members were diagnosed with prostate cancer.

What Is Prostate Cancer Screening?

Prostate cancer screening is the key to early detection. This test helps doctors identify the disease when it's most treatable. The exam includes a physical test and a blood test.

The digital rectal exam is the first part. Your doctor uses their finger to determine the size and firmness of your prostate gland. A healthy prostate feels like the tip of your nose. If it feels harder, like your cheekbone, that can be cause for concern.

A blood test to check your PSA level is the second part of screening. A PSA level above 4 raises the suspicion of prostate cancer.

"If we identify cancer through either a digital rectal exam or a PSA blood test, we may recommend further testing before we choose an effective treatment plan," said Michael Eaton, MD, medical director for Franciscan Health Cancer Center in Indianapolis.

Fortunately, prostate cancer is highly treatable, said Sandeep Bhave, MD, an independent radiation oncologist who practices at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. Up to 90 percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer can be cured with treatment.

"There are many different treatment options for patients, including surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy or a combination," he said.

What Is Prostate Cancer Treatment?

Prostate cancer affects every man differently, so your treatment will be unique to you. Franciscan Health takes a team-based, hands-on approach to deliver personalized care. We bring together a multidisciplinary team of expert urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and pathologists to treat your cancer. Together, we consider several factors, including advanced imaging results and whether you have early-stage or advanced disease, to create the right care plan.

For men who have early-stage disease or a low risk of developing prostate cancer, active surveillance — a watchful waiting strategy — is a common choice, Dr. Bhave said.

"Half of these patients don't need treatment at all. We follow them with PSA tests and biopsies as needed," he said. "So, most men may be able to avoid or delay treatment for a long time. And if they need treatment, it's generally quite tolerable."

If you need prostate cancer treatment, Franciscan Health offers a full range of options. Based on the stage of your cancer, we may recommend:

• Chemotherapy: Medication that stops the growth of tumors and cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy: Medication that reduces or blocks testosterone or other hormones that can trigger cancer cell growth.
• Immunotherapy: A treatment that strengthens the ability of the body's natural immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT): A therapy that uses computer-controlled high-energy rays to precisely target and destroy cancer cells in and around the prostate without damaging healthy cells.
• Minimally invasive surgery: Removal of the prostate using the robotic da Vinci Surgical System. We recommend this procedure for healthy men who have cancer that hasn't spread outside the prostate.
• Targeted therapy: Medication that only targets and attacks cancer cells. It does not harm healthy cells.

Ultimately, Dr. Bhave said, it's important to be proactive if you notice any signs that may point to a problem with your prostate. Talking to your doctor early can lead to better long-term outcomes.

"It's important to get screened," he said. "If we find prostate cancer and can identify the stage early, we can get patients on a good path to treatment."