By Virginia ‘Ginya’ Carnahan, APR, CPRC – Dattoli Cancer Center & Brachytherapy Research Institute
*The secret to preventing prostate cancer is to make sure you are born female. To date, no female has ever been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is not to say that some unfortunate transgendered male-to-female might one day find that she has developed the disease because of the presence of a residual prostate gland. One can only have prostate cancer if one has a prostate gland!
Let’s get real now. If you were born with a prostate gland, you stand some chance of developing prostate cancer in your life time. With the exception of simple skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the human species – even more common than breast cancer. You may know a whole lot more about breast cancer because of the decades-long efforts of organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Susan J. Komen Foundation. And the natural tendency of women to coalesce and support each other.
Like breast cancer, we know that prostate cancer is associated with the hormonal system of the body. As estrogen in the female can impact breast cancer (as well as ovarian and uterine cancers), the male hormone testosterone acts as the food source for prostate cancers. Science does not know exactly how and why prostate cancers appear, but it is thought that every man who lives long enough will develop evidence of cancer in his prostate gland. In simple terms, there seems to be some key in the aging process that causes the prostate gland to develop cancers.
This is where any simple explanation of prostate cancer ends. It is an extremely complex disease. It can appear almost any time after puberty. We have seen young men in their 30’s with very serious prostate cancers. And we have seen healthy, active men in their 90’s develop prostate cancer and be successfully treated for it. Generally speaking, how-
ever, most prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in the mid to late 60’s.
There are some cases of prostate cancer that can be definitively traced to environmental factors. Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam are particularly susceptible to a very aggressive form of prostate cancer. Men with a long term history of tobacco use stand a greatly increased risk of prostate cancer (and bladder cancer, as well).
The biggest predictive factor for prostate cancer is a family history of the disease. If a father, brother or uncle had been diagnosed with the disease, your chance of developing it doubles. We also know that African Americans stand a 6 times increased risk of prostate cancer than do Caucasians. African Blacks however do not demonstrate the same risk.
There is no denying that prostate cancer is (or should be) a huge concern for men, and the women who birth them and love them. Men should be educated about their anatomy and health threats the same as women are.
At the bare minimum, men should be aware that prostate cancer is a threat; that there generally are no symptoms when the disease is in its earliest stages; that it can be cured if found early; and that the screening exam for prostate cancer is simple.
It is recommended that men should have annual screening exams for prostate cancer starting when they reach 50. If there is a family history, or they are African Americans, the screening should begin earlier at age 40. Screening can be done by a family doctor, a urologist or through a community event (September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month so look for screening events at that time of year). The process is two steps: a simple one tube blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE or “finger exam”). Some men foolishly refuse the DRE. The exam, while unpleasant, lasts only a few seconds and it can be a life saver. If either the blood test or the DRE is abnormal, the man should then see a urologist for further examination.
The bottom line (no pun intended) is that while we may not be able to prevent prostate cancer, through awareness, annual screening and appropriate treatment we can prevent dying from it.
Advice to men includes:
• Be aware of your prostate cancer risk
• Take advantage of annual screenings (if your annual check-up does not include a PSA blood test, ask for one)
• Be very cautious of any testosterone usage, as it is the food source for prostate cancer
• If you smoke, stop
• Get some exercise on a regular basis, several times a week
• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and fresh vegetables
• Reduce the consumption of red meats and processed foods
• Educate yourself about your health!
Dattoli Cancer Center
1-877-DATTOLI | www.dattoli.com