The bad news about prostate cancer is that it continues to be the second leading cause of death from cancer among men, even as awareness has increased and more effective screening methods and procedures are being used. The worse news, though, is that the number of cases might actually be on the rise despite our increased levels of knowledge and preparation.
At the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA, we specialize in screening, diagnosing, and treating men with this disease. We are committed to decreasing the number of prostate cancer cases, and we want to help prevent you from becoming an unwanted, and avoidable, statistic.
Your Prostate and Cancer
Your prostate is an important, walnut-sized part of your reproductive system located just below your bladder, responsible for regulating bladder control. It also plays an important part in keeping your sperm nourished and healthy as well as in producing part of the seminal fluid that protects and transports your sperm during sexual activity. For this reason, this type of cancer is referred to as a male reproductive tumor.
Prostate cancer is a type of adenocarcinoma, which usually forms in glands that secrete mucus. Usually, cells in your prostate become cancerous due to the normal aging process, but other factors, such as smoking habits, the environment in which you work or live, and genetics, can contribute. The tumor often grows slowly and causes you little harm for years.
For this reason, successful treatment and recovery are possible – even expected – if you catch cancer in its earlier stages. Once it gets more aggressive and spreads outside your prostate, though, serious consequences are inevitable.
The Facts about Prostate Cancer
Provided you catch it early enough, you can easily survive prostate cancer. So why might prostate cancer rates be rising?
Let’s take a look at a few statistics first, according to a study recorded by Northwestern Medicine at Northwestern University.
- New cases of metastatic prostate cancer have risen more than 70% since 2004.
- The largest increase is in men aged 55 -69 years old (92%).
- The average PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in men with metastatic prostate cancer has nearly doubled from 25 to 49.
The first takeaway from these stats is that elevated levels of PSA, a protein produced by the cells of your prostate, often indicate the presence of cancer, so this increased average PSA value indicates that men, at the time of their diagnosis, are showing a more widespread extent of the disease than was previously shown.
Second, the increase of prostate cancer cases in men 55-60 is troubling because this is usually the age range believed to derive the greatest benefits from screening and early treatment.
Finally, the study took into consideration several suspected causes. Is the recent trend that fewer men are undergoing screening contributing to the increase? Or has the disease become more aggressive? Or is it both?
Suspected Reasons for the Increase
One suspected cause for the increase in metastatic cases is the fact that, since 2004, the number of men undergoing prostate cancer screening has noticeably declined. If fewer men are getting screened, then the slow-developing cancer is not being caught until men see their doctors only after they notice symptoms of the disease, at which point the tumor very likely has already spread to nearby parts of the body – or even further. This could certainly cause an increased rate of deaths from prostate cancer because, at this stage, treatment usually only slows the progression of the disease, not stops it.
However, fewer men getting screened doesn’t account for why the average PSAs are higher. Instead, many researchers attribute this to prostate cancer becoming more aggressive. This indicates that you should be more vigilant in getting screened; once you reach the age of 50, get examined by your doctor more frequently. This increases your chances of survival should you actually have prostate cancer.
What You Can Do to Avoid Being a Statistic
Early detection of prostate cancer is an obvious answer, which means you should not avoid getting screened if you’re 50 or older. Your screening should be individualized and tailored to address your particular concerns and state of overall health. What is prescribed or what works for someone else doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. It can prevent you from being over- or under-diagnosed and then receiving ineffective or unnecessary treatment.
Early detection can be the difference between surviving the disease and succumbing to it. If you suspect you have signs of prostate cancer, make an appointment to have a consultation and a diagnostic exam as soon as you can.
In a Nutshell:
- Despite better screening and diagnosis methods, prostate cancer is still the second deadliest cancer in men
- Risk factors: Age, African-American ethnicity, family history, etc
- Screening: annual rectal exam and PSA value
- PSA (prostate specific antigen): a protein only made by prostate cells, which can be measured in the blood and most of the time is elevated in men who have cancer in their prostate
- Early detection is key: prostate cancer can be CURED (and not just treated) if diagnosed early enough (localized to the gland) and before becoming metastatic
- Rate of metastatic disease is again on the rise, possibly in part due to reduction in screening in the recent years and also possibly prostate cancer becoming more aggressive in general
- Don’t become a statistic! With proper screening and treatment prostate cancer is curable
Don’t Be a Statistic! Contact the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA
This type of cancer is curable, but only when you get early screening and treatment. Although the increase in average PSA levels suggests the disease is becoming more aggressive, research continues trying to determine why metastatic cases are on the rise. To avoid being a statistic, contact an expert Los Angeles urologist at the Prostate Cancer Institute of LA by visiting them online or calling 310.499.2756.
Next, read These 4 Crucial Symptoms May Mean You Have Prostate Cancer