Health Stories
Prostate Cancer

Awareness:

Prostate cancer starts in the cells of the prostate, which is a small gland in the reproductive system that produces semen. The prostate gland is located below the bladder in front of the rectum and surrounds the upper part of the urethra. The most common type of prostate cancer is adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

Symptoms:        

Prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumour grows and causes changes in the body such as changes in bladder habits. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as prostate cancer.

The signs or symptoms of prostate cancer include:

  • more frequent urination, especially at night
  • a strong or sudden urge to urinate
  • difficulty starting the flow of urine
  • weak or slow urine stream
  • interrupted urine stream
  • being unable to empty the bladder completely
  • having difficulty controlling the bladder, which can cause urine to leak and dribble
  • blood in the urine or semen
  • burning or pain during urination
  • discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate
  • painful ejaculation
  • trouble getting an erection
  • pain or stiffness in back, hips or pelvis that doesn’t go away
  • fatigue

Risks:

Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. The risk for prostate cancer increases as men get older. The chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is greater after age 50. Prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men in their 60s. The following can increase your risk for prostate cancer. Most of these risks cannot be changed.

  • Family history of prostate cancer
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Tall adult height
  • Inherited gene mutations

Prevention:

There are 2 main things you can do to lower your risk of prostate cancer:

  • Know your personal risks
  • Maintain a healthy body weight

If you are a person in one of these higher risk groups, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about regularly checking your prostate health.

Screening:

A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. PSA is a protein made by prostate cells. The prostate is part of the male reproductive and urinary systems. PSA is mostly found in semen, which is also made in the prostate, but small amounts of PSA can also be found in the blood. Higher levels of PSA in the blood can be caused by prostate cancer, among other things.

A PSA test may be done to:

  • help find prostate cancer early in those who don’t have any signs or symptoms of the disease
  • check for cancer in those who have signs or symptoms of prostate cancer
  • plan treatment for prostate cancer
  • monitor those with prostate cancer who are being treated with active surveillance
  • find out if prostate cancer treatments are working
  • find out if prostate cancer has come back after treatment

A PSA test is often used together with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to increase the chance of finding prostate cancer early when it is easier to treat. Using these tests together is better than using either test alone.

Make an informed decision about whether the PSA test is right for you by talking with your doctor and considering your risk.

  • If you are at average risk of developing prostate cancer, consider testing from age 50.
  • If you are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, consider testing from age 45. Those with a family history of prostate cancer are considered to be at high risk.

Your PSA levels will determine how often you get tested. The decision to stop testing is based on your PSA levels, age and general health.

If you have questions or concerns about your health, speak to your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, you can register for Health Care Connect at 1-800-445-1822.

 

References:

Prostate Cancer. Cancer Care Ontario. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/types-of-cancer/prostate

Symptoms of prostate cancer. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/prostate/signs-and-symptoms

Risks for prostate cancer. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/prostate/risks

Diagnosis of prostate cancer. Canadian Cancer Society. https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/prostate/diagnosis