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Prostate Cancer
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer even though prostate cancer only occurs in males. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm.
Many prostate cancers grow slowly and stay in the prostate gland, where the cancer might not cause serious harm; however, there are other types of prostate cancers that can be aggressive and can spread quickly.
When prostate cancer is detected early, an individual has the best chance for successful treatment.
Facts: According to the Illinois State Cancer Registry, there were 9,667 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Illinois in 2021. In 2021, 1,169 Illinoisans died from prostate cancer.
What are the Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer?
Factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer include:
Older age
Prostate cancer is most common in males over the age of 50.
Race
Black people have a greater risk of prostate cancer compared to people of other races. In addition, Black people are more likely to have aggressive or advanced prostate cancer, but the causes are unknown.
Family history
Having a blood relative who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, such as a parent, sibling, or child, may increase your risk of prostate cancer. Also, if you have a family history of the genes that increase the risk of breast cancer or a strong family history of breast cancer, you can be at a greater risk of prostate cancer.
Obesity
Obese or overweight people are more likely to have prostate cancer that is aggressive, and the cancer is more likely to return after the initial treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms in its early stages; however, in the later stages, prostate cancer can show symptoms such as:
- Trouble urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in the urine and/or semen
- Bone pain
- Losing weight without trying
- Erectile dysfunction
How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
After prostate cancer screening, if the screening detects an abnormality, your doctor may recommend further tests to determine whether you have prostate cancer, such as:
Ultrasound
During a transrectal ultrasound, a small probe will be inserted into your rectum. Through sound waves from the probe, a picture of your prostate gland is created.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
In some cases, your doctor might recommend an MRI scan of the prostate to take a more detailed picture. Also, MRI images can help your doctor plan a procedure to remove prostate tissue samples.
Collecting a sample of prostate tissue
To determine if there are cancer cells in the prostate, your doctor may recommend a procedure to collect a sample of cells from your prostate (prostate biopsy). Prostate biopsy is often done using a thin needle that is inserted into the prostate to collect tissue. Afterward, the tissue sample is analyzed in a lab to determine if there are cancer cells present.
How to Prevent Prostate Cancer?
There is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer; however, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of prostate cancer including:
- Choose a low-fat diet
- Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat each day
- Reduce the number of dairy products you eat each day
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular exercise
- Stop smoking
- Drink less alcohol
