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Prostate Cancer

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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and accounts for around 15% of cancers worldwide.

Living with prostate cancer

The prostate is a walnut-shaped and sized gland that sits under the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of your body. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. Some prostate cancers develop very slowly over a number of years, leading to problems and symptoms which can be less severe. While slow-developing cancers still require consultation with a doctor, the more aggressive forms of prostate cancer can grow and spread quickly, requiring more urgent treatment.

Most common symptoms of prostate cancer
and/or its treatments

Urinary problems can be signs of prostate cancer. However, they can also be symptoms of a benign prostate problem such as benign prostate enlargement - BPE. Symptoms can include:

  • difficulty starting to pee and/or emptying your bladder
  • a weak flow when you urinate and/or dribbling urine after you finish
  • feeling like your bladder has not emptied properly
  • needing to pee more often than usual, especially at night
  • a sudden, urgent need to pee

These symptoms usually occur if the cancer grows near the urethra and presses against it. It’s also important to note that urinary incontinence can be a side effect of some types of prostate cancer treatment.

If prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate, and to other parts of the body, it can cause pain in the back, hip or pelvis, and unexplained weight loss.

Some people with prostate cancer have problems getting or keeping an erection, which is known as erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is also a common side effect of some types of prostate cancer treatment.

Blood in your urine or semen can be a sign of other health problems. However, it can also be a sign of prostate cancer.

Risk factors that could cause prostate cancer

Prostate cancer can affect anyone, but there are some factors which increase your risk.

Getting older

Prostate cancer usually affects men over the age of 50. The older you get, the higher chance you have of developing prostate cancer.

Family history

Research has found that people with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease. If your father or brother had prostate cancer, you are 2.5 times more likely to develop it than if you had no relatives with prostate cancer. Your risk of developing prostate cancer may also be higher if you have a mother or sister with breast or ovarian cancer.

Ethnicity

If you have black or mixed black ethnicity, you are likely to be at higher risk of prostate cancer. It’s recommended that if you are a black man over the age of 45, you should speak to your doctor about your risk of prostate cancer, even if you do not have any symptoms.

Find the right treatment for prostate cancer

The treatment for prostate cancer will depend on a variety of different factors, including:

  • the stage and grade of your cancer
  • your age and expected life span
  • any other health conditions you have
  • your personal feelings related to what is involved in each treatment and any long-term side effects that you can expect

Show me the most common prostate cancer treatments
A physician explains unrinary incontinance to her elderly patients

Find a prostate cancer specialist who offers SpaceOARTM Hydrogel near you

Talk to your urologist or oncologist about your prostate cancer concerns and ask any questions you may have. They will be able to explain your risks, what is involved in the diagnostic process and if you are diagnosed, what you can expect from your treatment.

Please note that only physicians who offer SpaceOAR hydrogel alongside radiation therapy are listed. Need help to prepare for your appointment/consultation?

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Frequently asked questions about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men, with the number of prostate cancer cases predicted to rise to 2.9 million annually worldwide by 2040.

Prostate cancer primarily affects men over the age of 50, with the most common age to be diagnosed being between 70 and 74 years old. However, it can affect anyone at any time. People who have a family history of prostate cancer, breast cancer or ovarian cancer could be at greater risk. Black men are also more likely to develop the disease.

Some of the tests you may need to confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer include:

  • a physical exam
  • a digital rectal exam
  • a PSA blood test that checks for a specific antigen that is made by cells in the prostate gland
  • a biopsy, which is where a small sample of prostate tissue is removed and looked at under a microscope

More than 80% of all prostate cancers are detected at a fairly early stage, when the cancer is localised to the area of the prostate. This means that treatment success rates are high compared to other cancer types in the body.

There are a range of different treatments for prostate cancer, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy and more advanced, less-invasive treatments. Your doctor will work with you to find the most suitable treatment for prostate cancer based on your individual circumstances.

Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to prevent prostate cancer. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight could play a role. This is because being overweight could increase your risk of being diagnosed with an aggressive or advanced prostate cancer.

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