Prostate Cancer THE BASICS 1 INTRODUCTION -- PC the-Basics 1

7/31/2019 Prostate Cancer THE BASICS 1 INTRODUCTION -- PC the-Basics 1

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Prostate Cancer

THE BASICS


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INTRODUCTION

Understanding prostate cancer and allthat it involves, can, at first, seem abit overwhelming. Between the testingfor prostate cancer, to treatments,to the disease itself, there is a lot ofinformation to cover. In this pamphlet,we aim to explain the basics thewho, what, where, when and whys ofthe disease.

THE PROSTATE

Lets start at the beginning withanswering the question, what is theprostate? The prostate is a part of themale reproductive system. Its mainfunction is to add nutrients and fluidto the sperm. During ejaculation, theprostate secretes fluid that is part of

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the semen. In fact, 98% of the volumeof the ejaculate is made by the prostate.Normally the size of a golf ball, theprostate can be divided into at leasttwo parts referred to as the right and

left lobes. It is located close to therectum just below the bladder at thebase of the penis and also surroundsthe urethra, the tube that carries urineand semen through the penis.

The prostate is affected by male sexhormones. Not only do they stimulatethe activity of the prostate, but also

the replacement and growth of prostatecells. If your doctor discovers an enlarged,irregularly shaped, hard, lumpy or tenderprostate, you may have a prostateproblem.

WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?

Prostate cancer is a disease in whichsome of the cells of the prostate havelost normal control of growth and division.They no longer function as the healthycells do.

Although the cause of prostate canceris not yet known, it is understood thatthe growth of all cells in the prostate,both healthy and cancerous, arestimulated mainly by testosterone.Male hormones, including testosterone,

are produced almost entirely by thetesticles (95%),1 with only a smallpercentage (5%) being produced bythe adrenal glands (small glands found

just above the kidneys).1

In order to be considered cancerous,a prostate cell would have all of thefollowing characteristics: uncontrolledgrowth, abnormal structure, and theability to escape the prostate andmove to other parts of the body. Thelatter is referred to as invasiveness.

Its important to note that not all clustersof cells growing in a mass are cancerous,

they could in fact be benign. It is alsopossible that a prostate with an irregularshape is not cancerous either. It couldindicate a different problem with the


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prostate, or in the case of an enlargedprostate, it could simply be a result ofage. In other words, testing is the onlyway to be sure whether or not youhave a problem with your prostate and

whether or not the problem is cancer.

Compared with other types of cancer,prostate cancer is often slow growing,sometimes to the point where a manmay not ever require treatment for itin his lifetime.

Most men that develop this type of

cancer live many years without everhaving the cancer detected. That beingsaid, it is important to get tested earlyand often so that if you do developprostate cancer, the appropriate actioncan be taken.

Typically the first symptom of prostatecancer is difficulty urinating, or bloodin the urine. But again, symptomsdont always present themselves incases of prostate cancer, especiallyin the early stages. Testing is the bestway to be sure of a diagnosis. See theProstate Cancer Testing & Diagnosisfor more information.

WHO GETS PROSTATE CANCER?

There is no single cause of prostate

cancer, however, there are some factorsthat seem to increase the risk ofdeveloping it.

Age is the strongest risk factor for

prostate cancer. The chance of gettingit goes up quickly after a man reachesage 50. And, almost two out of everythree prostate cancers are found inmen over 65.2

It is not known why, but prostatecancer is more common in men ofAfrican or Caribbean descent. It is alsomore common in North America andnorthwestern Europe than it is in Asia,Africa, Central and South America.

A family history of prostate cancer isanother factor that can increase therisk of developing the disease. If your


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father or brother had prostate cancer,or you are of African or Caribbean decent,the you may be advised by your doctorto get tested by age 40.3

Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fatdairy and have diets generally highin fat, also seem to have a greaterchance of getting prostate cancer.

Obesity, lack of physical activity, andworking with a metal called cadmiumare currently being studied as possiblerisk factors.

Its important to remember that it ispossible to develop prostate cancereven when none of the risk factorsare present. Testing for it is the bestway to be sure prostate cancer is or isnot present. See the Prostate Cancer Testing & Diagnosis pamphlet for moreinformation.

When Does Prostate CancerHappen?You may be wondering at what time inyour life should you be on the lookoutfor prostate cancer. Generally, men,once they turn 40, should contact theirdoctors about having an initialprostate-specific antigen (PSA) test,which is a simple blood test.

This kind of test provides a baselinenumber/score for comparison in thefuture. It lets your doctor know whatis a normal number for you, and thenwhen that number changes, yourphysician can assess whether it isdue to prostate cancer, some otherprostate complication, or the regularenlargement of the prostate thatoccurs with age.


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If there appears to be no issue withyour PSA numbers, your doctor needonly repeat the test once every fiveyears until you turn 50. If you are over40 and have not yet had a PSA test,

talk to your doctor about arranging tohave one done and whether or notthe cost of the test is covered in yourprovince.

A digital rectal exam (DRE) is anotherquick screening test your doctor is likelyto perform. Your physician will feel thesize and shape of the prostate by

inserting a gloved and lubricated fingerinto the rectum. The whole prostatecannot be felt during this exam, butthe area where most prostate cancersare found, can be. A healthy prostatefeels soft, rubbery, smooth, symmetrical,regular and even. Any signs of lumps,hard, woody or irregular areas of theprostate, may indicate the presence of

prostate cancer and will require furthertesting.

Men over 50 should consider beingtested every year in order to catchprostate cancer in its earliest stages.

Why Is Testing Important?

It is important to get tested for prostatecancer, as there are other conditions

that concern the prostate with symptomssimilar to prostate cancer, but that arenot cancerous. The following describessome of the most common non-cancerousprostate conditions.

ProstatitisThis is an infection or inflammationof the prostate. It is not cancer. Nor isthere evidence that it leads to cancer.Prostatitis can be categorized as acuteor chronic and is either bacterial ornonbacterial. Treatments can includeantibiotics and anti-inflammatory

drugs.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)BPH is an overgrowth of cells in theprostate but is non-cancerous. Essentiallyit is an enlarged prostate, found inmany older men.

Some men wont experience anysymptoms with this condition. Other


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men may find that their urine flow isreduced or stops altogether due to theenlarged prostate squeezing the urethra.This can lead to a gradual loss of bladderfunction. BPH can be treated withchanges to diet and lifestyle, in additionto medication and/or surgery.

Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasis (PIN)In the case of PIN, there is abnormaland uncontrolled growth of prostatecells. It is not a cancerous condition.The growth of these cells is containedto the ones that line the external andinternal surfaces of the prostate gland.

The most abnormal cells are classifiedas high-grade PIN and the ones thatappear almost normal are classifiedas low-grade PIN. Low-grade PIN does

not seem to increase a mans risk ofdeveloping prostate cancer.

However, high-grade PIN is sometimesconsidered a pre-cancerous condition.That doesnt necessarily mean thatprostate cancer will develop. It doesmean that men with this conditionneed to be monitored closely for prostatecancer. Biopsies are quite common inorder to monitor this condition.


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Know | the | facts

References:1. Schellhammer PF. An evaluation of bicalutamide

in the treatment of prostate cancer. Expert OpinPharmacother 2002;3(9):1313-1328.

2. American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org.Accessed June 2010.

3. Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca.Accessed April 2010.

Where Can I Learn More?

For more information on prostate cancer,please contact:

Tel: 416-441-2131Toll-free: 1-888-255-0333

prostatecancer.ca

Educational material made possibleby AstraZeneca Canada Inc.


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Prostate Cancer Canadaprostatecancer.ca1 888 255 0333

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Prostate Cancer THE BASICS 1 INTRODUCTION -- PC the-Basics 1