#24 FACTS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER
#1.
Prostate cancer is a
malignant growth of the prostate gland, a chestnut shaped, walnut size
structure surrounding the urethra, just below the urinary bladder found in men
only.
#2.
In health, the prostate
gland usually weighs an average of 20 grams (18-26 grams) but may increase in
size to up to 100 grams in prostate cancer.
#3.
Testicular hormones [Testosterone
and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)] control the growth and survival of prostate
cells; hence castration leads to apoptosis and atrophy of the prostate.
#4.
Every man will have an
enlarged prostate if he lives long enough, but NOT all will develop Prostate Cancer.
Prostatic size increases almost exponentially from the age of 50 years and at
90 years, 90% of men have Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
#5.
Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia (BPH) is NOT Prostate Cancer. While the former is as its name
implies, “benign” (non-cancerous), the latter is actually cancerous
(malignant).
#6.
Prostate cancer is
typically a disease of men above the age of 50 years. 30% of men between 40-60
years suffer from this disease while the rate doubles (60%) in men above 60
years. In fact, there is a 1 in 6 lifetime probability of being diagnosed with
Prostate Cancer.
#7.
A racial predilection seems
to be related as the incidence is very low in Asians, especially the Japanese
but very high among Blacks and Scandinavians.
#8.
An increase in incidence
among Japanese immigrants to the West (US and UK) suggests there might be
significant environmental influence on the incidence of the disease.
#9.
Dietary factors also have
significant effect on risk of developing the disease. Heavy intake of high fat
diet especially red meat has been said to triple the risk. Whereas, inadequate
vegetables consumption might quadruple the risk.
#10.
Other factors like
excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, use of tight underwear, sedentary
lifestyle (involving sitting for most the part of most days) and lack of
adequate exercise can significantly increase risk of developing prostate
cancer.
#11.
With enlargement of the
prostate, there is a compression of the two structures with are at closest
proximity to it, the urethra and the urinary bladder, causing changes in these
two structures leading to the earliest symptoms of the disease.
#12.
Men above the age of 50
years must watch out for these “prostate” symptoms (the International Prostate
Symptom Score; IPSS).
i.
Sensation of incomplete
bladder emptying after urinating
ii.
Frequent micturition (need
to urinate less than two hours after you finished urinating)
iii.
Intermittency (need to stop
and start again several times when urinating)
iv.
Urgency (difficulty
postponing micturition)
v.
Weak urinary stream
vi.
Straining (need to push or
strain to start urination)
vii.
Norcturia (need to get up
to urinate multiple times while sleeping at night)
#13.
Digital rectal examination
(DRE) conducted by a physician reveals symptoms that may be suggestive of
Prostate Cancer and has been found deliver accurate diagnosis in 30% of cases
and is usually the first step in screening for the disease.
#14.
Serum Prostate Specific
Antigen (PSA)assay is usually the most important in screening for the disease.
Values above 10ng/mL are associated with greater than 60% risk.
#15.
Other diagnostic
investigations include urinalysis, full blood count, urinary microscopy,
culture and sensitivity, Electrolytes/Urea/Creatinine, Transrectal Ultrasound,
Prostate biopsy and histology, Chest x-ray, radionuclide scan, computerized
tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging.
#16.
Complications are urinary
retention, urinary tract infections (due to urinary retention), anemia,
hematuria as the cancer invades the bladder and urethra, bone pain with
metastasis to the spine, renal failure, distant spread to the lungs, brain and
other organs and a host of other life threatening-complications and in really
bad cases, death.
#17.
Treatment of prostate
cancer often depends on stage at which the individual presents in the hospital
which is why screening and early detection is considered to be of utmost
priority. Treatment options include watchful waiting, surgery (various forms of
prostatectomy), hormonal treatment with drugs that inhibit or reduce serum
androgens, and chemotherapy.
#18.
Tomatoes contain a very
potent antioxidant, Lycopene, known to significantly reduce risk of developing
prostate cancer.
#19.
Foods rich in zinc (e.g.
pumpkin) are highly recommended for men as it has been found to prevent or at
least retard prostatic malignancy. Zinc is also an essential element for male
sexuality fertility and is important for alcohol metabolism.
#20.
It is advised that men
above the age of 50 years who are beginning to have urinary symptoms (see #12
above) with prostatic enlargement should either stop smoking or drink less and
slowly.
#21.
Light exercise like brisk
walking helps build muscle tone and is thought to retard urinary symptoms in
Prostate cancer. However, high impact exercise like jogging and cycling is to
be avoided by men over 50 years.
#22.
Men who sit longer are more
prone to developing urinary symptoms in prostate cancer as two-thirds of our
weight rests on the pelvic bones when we sit thus placing pressure on the
urinary bladder. Walk around as often as you can and when you have to sit, use
a comfortable chair. A divided saddle chair is recommended if you must sit long
hours.
#23.
Smoking affects blood
vessels and thus has a direct impact on the circulation around the groin. Avoid
smoking.
#24.
Regular sex is good for
prostate health. Celibates are more prone to prostate illness. The prostate
gland is designed to empty its contents regularly as occurs during ejaculation.
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