Did You Know?
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men
- One out of every 10 men will develop the disease at some time in his life -- most after age 65
- Both the number of new cases of prostate cancer and the number of deaths due to prostate cancer have increased in the past decade
- The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 180,400 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and that approximately 31,900 men will die of the disease in 2000
- Although it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, prostate cancer can be treated successfully
- The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that can give indirect information about whether any prostate cancer is present
- The digital rectal examination, a simple procedure, can help the doctor detect the cancer
- Because prostate cancer usually occurs at an age when other medical conditions, such as heart disease and stroke, may contribute significantly to the cause of death, the actual number of men who die with prostate cancer
rather than of it is unknown
- Early detection is the key
Screening Tests
- Prostate-specific Antigen
- A blood sample is drawn and the amount of prostate- specific antigen (PSA) present is determined in a laboratory
- PSA is a marker that, if present in higher than average amounts, may indicate prostate cancer cells
- PSA levels may also be higher in men who have noncancerous prostate conditions
- PIW offers the prostate-specific antigen measurement annually, beginning at age 45 for African-Americans and 50 for other ethnic groups
- Digital Rectal Exam
- A digital rectal examination (DRE) is performed by a doctor during a regular office visit
- The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland through the rectal wall to check for bumps or abnormal areas
- Small tumors can form in portions of the prostate that cannot be reached by a DRE
- Clinicians may have difficulty distinguishing between benign abnormalities and prostate cancer therefore, follow-up testing may be recommended
Signs & Symptoms
- Early prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms; when symptoms of prostate cancer do occur, they may include some of the following problems:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Inability to urinate
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
- Age - Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men younger than 50 years old
- Race - Black males are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white males; black males are also more likely to die of prostate cancer than white males
- Family History of Prostate Cancer - A man whose father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer has a higher-than-average risk of developing prostate cancer
- Other potential risk factors - include alcohol consumption, vitamin or mineral interactions, and other dietary
habits
Sources For More Information on Prostate Cancer
Information on this page has been taken from National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control resources.
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