Protecting Your Prostate: Take Precautions Against Common Male Cancer

by Angie Kay Dilmore

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in men, second only to lung cancer in the United States.

Approximately one in 44 men will die of it. Grim as that sounds, there is good news. The disease can be detected early through screenings and digital rectal exams, and advancements in treatments have significantly improved survival rates.

Edward Rutland, MD, urology specialist with CHRISTUS Health, says there is no single cause of prostate cancer. “There have been some links to an increased risk of prostate cancer and obesity. And there can be a genetic component. Any man with a first-degree male relative (meaning a father or a brother) who has a history of prostate cancer has twice the risk of developing prostate cancer than the general population.”

Race can also play a role. “African Americans tend to be at higher risk of the disease and present at a younger age compared to other populations,” Dr. Rutland says. African Americans are encouraged to begin prostate cancer screening at age 45 if there is no family history of prostate cancer and age 40 if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family. Prostate cancer screening in non-African American populations should start at age 45 for patients with a family history of prostate cancer and at age 50 for patients without a history of prostate cancer.

Like all cancers, Dr. Rutland says prognosis of prostate cancer is always best if the disease is found early. A yearly PSA screening is done with a simple blood test. “Generally, if caught early, prostate cancer is very treatable and curable,” he adds. “Some prostate cancers are not aggressive and grow very slowly and we monitor them without treatment. However, some significant prostate cancers can be aggressive, which makes screening very important.”

Primary treatments for prostate cancer include surgery or radiation. “Robotic surgery for removal of the prostate has become quite routine with excellent outcomes,” says Dr. Rutland. “If the patient opts for radiation, external beam radiation is the most common. Brachytherapy uses radioactive seeds that are implanted into the prostate.”

While cancer is the greatest prostate concern, there are other issues which can arise from this reproductive gland whose primary purpose is to produce fluid for sperm to swim in. “The prostate never stops growing,” Dr. Rutland says. “It continues to enlarge over time and commonly begins to obstruct the flow of urine through the urethra. This can be mild, and symptoms can be simply a nuisance, or it can be severe and cause a patient to be completely unable to empty their bladder. Infection of the prostate, called prostatitis, is also a common issue. The symptoms are pain in the lower pelvis, difficulty with urination and frequency of urination. If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your primary care provider.”

To protect your prostate, Dr. Rutland advises a yearly PSA screening and digital rectal exam. Supplements or other medications that claim to reduce the risk of prostate cancer have not been proven useful. “Generally, taking care of your body will also take care of your prostate. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the best advice.”