Prostate Cancer

What is prostate cancer?

• Prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate gland (male sex gland) that helps make semen. The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and wraps around the urethra and the neck of the bladder. The bladder is the hollow organ that holds urine. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the end of the penis.
  
  
• Cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue (tumor). Cancer cells may also grow into nearby healthy tissue. They may break away from the tumor and travel through the blood stream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it is called metastasis.

What causes prostate cancer?

There is no known cause of prostate cancer. It cannot spread through sexual contact. One or more of the following may increase your risk for getting prostate cancer:

• Age: Men over the age of 50.
  
  
• Diet: Eating high fat foods, such as some "fast food", fried foods, chips, and some pork or beef dishes. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may also increase your risk.
  
  
• Environment: Being around the chemical cadmium a lot. Cadmium is found in cigarette smoke, alkaline batteries, and welding shops.
  
  
• Family history of prostate cancer.
  
  
• Race: Being African-American.
  
  
• Sexual habits: Having sex with many people or having had sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).

What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?

You may have no symptoms at all during the early stages of prostate cancer. In the later stages of prostate cancer, you may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Blood in your urine or semen.
  
  
• Feeling the need to urinate often, especially at night.
  
  
• Not being able to urinate at all.
  
  
• Pain or a burning feeling when urinating or ejecting semen.
  
  
• Pain or feeling stiff in your lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
  
  
• Trouble having an erection.
  
  
• Trouble starting the flow of urine or trouble holding it back.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

You may have one or more of the following tests:

• Digital rectal examination: This is also called "DRE". Caregivers carefully feel the size of your prostate gland to learn if it is larger than normal.
  
  
• Prostate-specific antigen blood test: This is also called "PSA". PSA blood levels may be increased in prostate cancer.
  
  
• Prostate biopsy: Your caregiver may biopsy (take a sample of) your prostate gland to learn if you have prostate cancer. The biopsy may also give your caregivers information about the stage of your cancer. Cancer staging includes measuring the lump and having tests, such as an ultrasound, blood tests, x-rays, and bone scans to learn if the cancer has spread. Stage zero is the earliest stage. Stage four is the latest stage and means that the prostate cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum, lymph nodes, or bones. Test results will help you and your caregiver decide on a treatment plan.

How is prostate cancer treated?

There are many different ways to treat prostate cancer. The prostate needs testosterone, a male hormone, to make semen. This male hormone can also make the cancer grow. You may need hormone medicine to block the testosterone. You may also need surgery or radiation. Often two or more kinds of treatment will be used together, such as medicine and radiation. You may also choose medicine and surgery to treat your cancer.

Where can I go for support and more information?

Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have prostate cancer. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 3036A
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Prostate Cancer