Understanding prostate cancer

About the Prostate

CEBU, Philippines - The more you know about the normal development and function of the prostate-where it’s located and what it’s attached to-the better you can understand how prostate cancer develops and impacts on a man’s life over time, due either to cancer growth or to treatments.

The normal prostate is a small, squishy gland about the size of a walnut. It sits under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The rectum, or lower end of the bowel, sits just behind the prostate and the bladder.

Prostate gland supplies substances that facilitate fertilization and sperm transit and survival. It produces enzymes used for lubrication and to loosen up semen to help sperm reach the egg during intercourse. Sperm is not produced or made in the prostate but in the testes.

About Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant cell that forms in tissues in the prostate gland. In most cases, prostate cancer is relatively slow-growing, which means that it typically takes a number of years to become large enough to be detectable, and even longer to spread beyond the prostate.

The Main cause of this type of cancer is unknown but still there are some factors that may influence risk in developing cancer, such as age, family history of prostate cancer, race, HPV (human papilloma virus) infection, and diet.

Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men. As men age, the prostate may get bigger and block the urethra or bladder. This may cause trouble urinating or sexual problems. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although it is not cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be like thesymptoms of prostate cancer.

Common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer are weak flow of urine, frequent urination especially at night, pain or burning sensation during urination, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips or pelvis that usually does not fade away, and pain during ejaculation. These signs and symptoms are usually the same with other problems or disorder in the prostate, which also affect treatment decisions.

The main problem now is most men are not aware about the importance of their prostate and what can go wrong with it. This little gland is the source of men’s major health problems such as BPH, prostatitis and the worst, prostate cancer. Common treatments to prostate cancer include surgery, cryosurgery, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Most prostate cancer develops from the “peripheral zone” near the rectum. That is why a digital rectal exam (DRE) is a useful screening test.

When it comes to making the diagnosis of prostate cancer and planning treatment, the other prostate disorders must be considered, too. So it’s important that men know about all three problems-BPH, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Fortunately, effective treatment and relief of symptoms is available for all three prostate disorders. Even prostate cancer, when caught early, is treatable, generally without causing loss of urinary control or sexual function.

According to Ronald M. Delos Reyes, program coordinator of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (RAFI-EJACC), “health education should be the main focus”, since many men feel that they can’t be afflicted by prostate diseases, and they are embarrassed and not open to having a digital exam.

Delos Reyes pointed out that prostate cancer can be prevented through screening procedures, like digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen, and some preventive measures like exercise and balanced diet.

Based on RAFI-EJACC’s Metro Cebu Population Based Cancer Registry, prostate cancer ranks fourth in cancer affecting men. The incidence and mortality rate of prostate cancer among men is high, especially at 50 years old and above. Within 1998-2002, about 263 cases of prostate cancer were reported and 158 patients were recorded to have died of the disease. While in 2003-2007, among the 353 cases, 217 died.

As we celebrate Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, let us do our part to spread the word about prostate cancer so that others may be spared from the disease by starting prevention as early as now. Sources: www.pcf.org,   www.cancer.gov