Prostate Cancer

Quicklinks

What is Prostate Cancer?^{11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prostate Cancer Screening – A Decision Guide. www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/prosguide.pdf (Accessed September 23, 2010).}

The prostate is a key part of the male reproductive system. It is a walnut-sized gland located behind the base of the penis, in front of the rectum and below the bladder. The prostate’s main function is to produce seminal fluid, the liquid in semen that protects, supports and helps transport sperm. Because of the gland’s function and position in a man’s body, prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatments can have serious negative effects on a man’s life.

Prostate cancer begins when normal cells in the gland change and grow abnormally. It can grow quietly for years, which means most men with the disease have no obvious symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they often are similar to other, less serious, prostate conditions.

Nationally, prostate cancer is a common disease among older men – over 90 percent of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 55 years of age. Because most prostate cancers are slow growing, a majority of older men will die with prostate cancer, not from prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer can be a very serious disease, and men are strongly encouraged to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of screening for prostate cancer with their physicians.

Facts about prostate cancer in New Mexico^{22. New Mexico Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: A Sourcebook for Planning and Implementing Programs for Cancer Prevention and Control (2007). Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Department of Health.}

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in New Mexico for men of all racial/ethnic groups.
Each year, there are more than 1,200 new cases of prostate cancer.
Each year, more than 200 New Mexico men will die from prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in New Mexico men (except Hispanics, for whom it is the third leading cause).
Age is the highest risk factor for prostate cancer, with incidence and mortality rates rising dramatically after age 60 in all racial/ethnic groups.
More than 90 percent of New Mexico men who develop prostate cancer are 55 or older at the time of diagnosis.
New Mexico has racial/ethnic differences in prostate cancer incidence and mortality:
Blacks and Whites have the highest incidence rates.
Blacks have the highest mortality rates.
American Indians have the lowest incidence and mortality rates.

Who is at risk of developing prostate cancer?^{22. New Mexico Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: A Sourcebook for Planning and Implementing Programs for Cancer Prevention and Control (2007). Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Department of Health.}

Only men have a prostate. The highest known risk factors for a man to develop prostate cancer are:

Older age
African-American race
Family history of prostate cancer in a brother or father
Eating diets high in animal fat or low in vegetables may be risk factors for prostate cancer

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?^{11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prostate Cancer Screening – A Decision Guide. www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/prosguide.pdf (Accessed September 23, 2010).}

Many men with prostate cancer have no symptoms. If symptoms appear they may include:

Difficulty urinating.
A weak urine stream.
Frequent urge to urinate, especially during the night.
Painful or burning urination.
Blood in the urine.
Prostate cancer that has spread to the bone may cause bone pain, particularly in the back.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep in mind that these symptoms may also be caused by other problems common to older men that are not cancer, such as an infection or an enlarged prostate.

Can I reduce my risk for prostate cancer?

Risk factors are things that increase your chance of getting cancer. You can do nothing about some risk factors, like age and family history. But there are some things you can do to improve your overall health and reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Fit in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as walking) into your daily routine.
Eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables every day.
Strive for a healthy weight.
Don’t smoke.
Don’t drink alcohol, or limit alcohol use.

What is cancer screening?

Screening is when a test is used to look for a disease before there are any symptoms. Cancer screening tests are effective when they can detect disease early. For some cancers, detecting disease early can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes. In other cases, the risks associated with screening and treatment may be greater than the benefits.

The Comprehensive Cancer Program promotes screening recommendations made by the CDC and the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). For prostate cancer, the USPSTF found that the benefits of screening may be outweighed by the potential harm caused. We encourage men to discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors.

Screening tests are different from diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests are used when a person has symptoms, and tests are intended to find out what is causing the symptoms.

What should I know about screening for prostate cancer?

Not all medical experts agree that prostate cancer screening saves lives. Most professional groups agree that healthcare providers should discuss the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening with their patients.^{22. New Mexico Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: A Sourcebook for Planning and Implementing Programs for Cancer Prevention and Control (2007). Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Department of Health.} Then patients can make an informed decision to be screened or not screened. There is easy-to-follow information to help a man make this decision.^{11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prostate Cancer Screening – A Decision Guide. www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/prosguide.pdf (Accessed September 23, 2010).} Click on the links below to go to the guides.

Decision Guide
Decision Guide for African Americans
Prostate Cancer: Should I get screened?
En Español
La detección del cáncer de próstata: Una guía para hispanos en los Estados Unidos

For average-risk men electing screening, the recommendation is for a yearly prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE). Men who are at higher risk for prostate cancer – African Americans or men who have a family history of prostate cancer – may begin annual screening at age 45 or earlier if recommended by their doctor. Prostate cancer screening is generally not recommended for men with less than a 10-year life expectancy.^{22. New Mexico Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: A Sourcebook for Planning and Implementing Programs for Cancer Prevention and Control (2007). Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Department of Health.}

Additional prostate cancer resources

Citations

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prostate Cancer Screening – A Decision Guide. www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/prosguide.pdf (Accessed September 23, 2010)

2. New Mexico Cancer Facts & Figures 2007: A Sourcebook for Planning and Implementing Programs for Cancer Prevention and Control (2007). Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Department of Health.