Prostate Cancer Facts, Myths, Symptoms, and Preventions everyone should know

Prostate cancer is cancer in the prostate — a small gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is common cancer for males and highly treatable in the early stages. By highly treatable, American Cancer Society (ACS) means about 1 out of 41 who are diagnosed with prostate cancer dies. This is because treatment is effective.

However, just because it’s not that lethal compared to other kinds of cancer, doesn’t mean you can simply ignore it. It can still be deadly especially if not treated during the early stage. If you are going to ignore something, then disregard these 10 Myths About Prostate Cancer:

1. Prostate cancer always grows slowly
2. It does not need treatment
3. Prostate cancer does not kill you
4. It will always cause urinary problems
5. It is contagious and can be passed to my family member
6. Google always tells me accurate information about prostate cancer
7. Taking more supplements will always prevent prostate cancer
8. Treatment for prostate cancer is not effective
9. Prostate cancer is not common in Singapore
10. It only affects older men above 70 years old

Instead of these myths, believe in these 10 Facts About Prostate Cancer you probably don’t know:

1. Most patients with prostate cancer do not have urinary symptoms.
2. Prostate cancer is suspected when a blood test called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is high.
3. High levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may not always be due to cancer.
4. Cancer can occur in young men as early as 40 years old.
5. Family history of prostate cancer in male relatives gives you a higher risk of prostate cancer.
6. Family history of breast cancer in female relatives also gives you a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer too.
7. When prostate cancer is found and treated in early-stage, most men can live more than 10 years without cancer recurrence.
8. Focal therapy for prostate cancer is an option to treat early-stage cancer
9. Focal therapy causes less urine incontinence, fewer erection problems and less sexual dysfunction when compared to major surgery.
10. Men with late-stage prostate cancer have several good treatment options to control their cancer and continue fulfilling lives.

Now that we have relevant knowledge about this medical condition, let’s see what we can do to detect and prevent it. Again, prostate cancer can be treated specially in the early stage. If you’re worried about having one, then check these 10 Symptoms of Prostate Cancer first:

1. Difficulty starting and maintaining urination
2. Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night
3. Blood in the urine or semen
4. Painful urination
5. Pain on ejaculation (in some cases)
6. Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
7. Pain or discomfort when sitting (if the prostate is enlarged)
8. Bone fracture or bone pain, especially in the hips, thighs, or shoulders
9. Edema, or swelling in the legs or feet
10. Changes in bowel habits, weight loss, tiredness, and back pain

If you’re already experiencing two or more of these symptoms at the same time, it’s best to pay the doctor a visit and have yourself checked. If not (and don’t to every experience it), here are 10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Prostate Cancer:

1. Eat more food with lycopene (e.g. tomato, watermelon).
2. Know your blood test results for prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
3. If you are above 50 years old, see a doctor to discuss prostate care.
4. If you have family members with a history of prostate cancer or breast cancer, see a doctor to discuss your risk of prostate cancer.
5. Stop smoking.
6. Eat less red meat.
7. Maintain a healthy body weight.
8. Have regular aerobic exercises.
9. If you have urinary issues, see a doctor early to check that it is not prostate cancer.
10. Do not take high doses of Selenium and Vitamin E supplements.

Prevention is better than cure. As what the doctor always says: “balance diet, proper exercise, and a healthy lifestyle” (not just apple) are the best ways to prevent almost all types of sickness. Regular medical screening is also highly advisable. Anyone who hasn’t undergone screening yet should start seeing the doctor very soon.

This article is contributed by Dr Chong Kian Tai, Consultant Urologist, PanAsia Surgery Group.