Prostate Cancer Awareness: Let’s Discuss Risk Factors, Testing & Treatment

Medically reviewed by Dr Johann Tang, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist

Do you know that prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men? Despite this astonishing statistic, many men still find it a challenging topic to discuss with their healthcare providers and with family and friends. Nevertheless, this is an essential conversation to have.

However, the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition may prevent one from realising that they need medical attention and hinder them from initiating such discussions. To help raise awareness, let us share more details about prostate cancer, including the risk factors involved and the testing procedures and treatments available.

Risks & Causes Of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects the prostate, which is the walnut-sized organ located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. When the prostate cells begin to spiral out of control, they form a mass or tumour in the prostate gland, resulting in prostate cancer.

Currently, the condition is not clearly linked to any preventable causes. Although, specific factors can cause someone to be more susceptible to the disease. Please note that having one or more of these risk factors does not mean you will get prostate cancer. However, it does increase your chances.

The common risk factors for prostate cancer include:

• Age (Men over 65 years old are more prone to getting prostate cancer);
• A family history of prostate cancer;
• Being overweight or obese increases your risk of metastatic or advanced prostate cancer;
• Hormone levels (those with high levels of IGF-1 have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer);
• Prostate changes, such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN).

While prostate cancer may show no signs in its early stages, as the disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Blood in your urine
• Blood in your semen
• Bone pain
• Decreased force in your urine stream
• Erectile dysfunction
• Trouble urinating

If you display any of the symptoms listed above, please consult a specialist immediately for diagnosis and seek prostate cancer treatment if necessary.

Learn More: 3 Prostate Cancer Risk Factors You Should Be Aware Of

The Various Diagnosis Methods For Prostate Cancer

If you suspect you have prostate cancer, your doctor will assess your condition and ask you to undergo a screening. These checkups may include one or more of the following tests:

• Blood test (prostate-specific antigen test) to inspect the PSA level in your bloodstream;
• Biopsy to collect a sample of prostate cells for examination;
• In some situations, the doctor may recommend an MRI scan to create a more detailed image of the prostate to collect the sample;
• Rectal exam to detect any abnormal lumps or growth forming in your prostate.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Available

While we understand how devastated you might feel if the results are positive, rest assured that there are various prostate cancer treatment options available to help combat this disease. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate treatment based on the cancer stage, grade of the tumour, age, and the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment.

1. Active Surveillance

On specific occasions, your doctor may recommend active surveillance to monitor your cancer progression before administering treatment. For instance, low-grade prostate cancer may not require treatment immediately. Your doctor may also suggest active surveillance if you are of an advanced age or possess a serious health condition that makes prostate cancer treatment challenging.

2. External Beam Radiation

During external beam radiation therapy, you’ll lie on a treatment table while a machine moves around your body, directing high-powered energy beams, such as protons or x-rays, to the cancer cells. Generally, the treatment lasts five days a week for several weeks. However, shorter courses of radiation therapy utilising higher radiation doses spread over fewer days are also available.

3. Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive sources within your prostate tissue. The radiation is often contained in rice-sized radioactive seeds. Once they are inserted into your prostate tissue, the seeds will deliver a low dose of radiation over a period of time.

This option is usually recommended for treating cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate. In some situations, your radiation oncologist may even recommend pairing brachytherapy with external beam radiation to maximise treatment effectiveness.

4. Hormone Therapy

Prostate cancer cells rely on testosterone to help grow. As such, cutting off the supply of testosterone may cause the cells to die or grow more slowly. This principle is the foundation behind hormone therapy, which stops your body from producing the male hormone testosterone.

Hormone therapy is often used to treat advanced prostate cancer and slow its growth. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend it before radiation therapy to treat cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate. Undergoing this treatment beforehand can help shrink the cancer cells and increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

5. Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells. This treatment can be administered through a vein in your arm, in pill form, or both. It is usually recommended for treating prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body or when the patient is not responding to hormone therapy.

6. Immunotherapy

When you fall sick, your immune system creates antibodies to defend your body against infection. However, when it comes to attacking cancer cells, your immune system may not be as effective, as cancer cells can produce proteins that help them hide from the antibodies. Immunotherapy helps interfere with this process, enabling your immune system to combat cancer better.

As part of treatment, your immune cells may be extracted to engineer them to detect and combat cancer cells. Subsequently, they are injected back into your body through a vein. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe immunotherapy drugs to help your immune system identify cancer cells. Both options are used to treat advanced prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy.

7. Surgery

Surgery is an option for treating cancer confined to the prostate. It can also sometimes be used to treat advanced prostate cancer in combination with other treatment methods. As part of the procedure, your doctor will remove the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), some surrounding tissues, and several lymph nodes.

We hope what we have shared can help you better understand prostate cancer, allowing you to remain vigilant, proactive, and informed. Along with educating yourself about the disease, we recommend prioritising regular health screenings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeking timely medical advice to empower yourself in the fight against prostate cancer.

With over two decades of experience in the field, Dr Johann Tang is a senior radiation oncologist who offers compassionate, research-based, patient-centric care. If you wish to learn more about the prostate cancer treatment options available to you, contact us to book an appointment with our clinic today.