What to know about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in males, but it is highly treatable in the early stages. It begins in the prostate gland, which sits between the penis and the bladder. Experts do not know what causes it, but the risk increases with age.

The prostate has various functions. These include producing the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm, secreting prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein that helps semen retain its liquid state, and helping aid urine control.

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonTrusted Source cancer affecting males in the United States. The American Cancer Society (ACS) predicts that in 2021 there will be around 248,530 new diagnoses of prostate cancer and approximately 34,130 deaths from this type of cancer.

Around 1 in 8 males will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer at some point in their life. However, only 1 in 41 of these will die as a result. This is because of effective treatments in the early stages and the slow-growing nature of the cancer in later stages. Routine screening enables doctors to detect many cases of prostate cancer before they spread.

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There are often no symptoms during the early stages of prostate cancer, but screening can detect changes that may indicate cancer. ScreeningTrusted Source involves a test that measures levels of PSA in the blood. High levels suggest that cancer may be present.

Males who do experience symptoms may noticeTrusted Source:

difficulty starting and maintaining urination

a frequent urge to urinate, especially at night

a weak urine stream

blood in the urine or semen

painful urination or ejaculation

pain in the back, hips, or pelvis

Advanced symptoms

People with advanced prostate cancer may also show no symptoms. Potential signs will depend on the size of the cancer and where it has spread in the body. In addition to the above, advanced prostate cancer can involve the following symptoms:

Causes

Researchers are unsureTrusted Source of the exact cause of prostate cancer. It develops when specific changes occur, usually in glandular cells. When prostate gland cells appear abnormal, a doctor may refer to these changes as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Nearly 50%Trusted sources of all males over the age of 50 years have PIN.

At first, the changes will be slow, and the cells will not be cancerous. However, they can become cancerous with time. Cancer cells can be high or low grade. High grade cells are more likely to grow and spread, while low grade cells are not likely to grow and are not a cause for concern.

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Risk factors

While doctors do not know exactly why prostate cancer occurs, the following risk factorsTrusted Source may make it more likely:

Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases after the age of 50, but it is rare before 45.

Race or ethnicity: The condition is more common in Black people than in white people. Asian and Hispanic people have a lower risk than Black or white people.

Family history: A person with a close relative with a history of prostate cancer has a higher chance of developing it.

Genetic factors: Inherited features, including changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, may increase the risk. Mutations in these genes also increase the chance of breast cancer. Men born with Lynch syndrome also have a higher risk of prostate and other cancers.

Diet: Some evidenceTrusted Source suggests that high fat diets may increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Other possible factors

While more research is necessary to confirm their involvement, other factors that may influence prostate cancer risk include:

obesity

smoking

alcohol consumption

exposure to chemicals, such as the herbicide Agent Orange

inflammation of the prostate

sexually transmitted infections

As cancer grows, it can spread throughout the body. If it spreads, or if it comes back after remission, treatment options will change. Options can include: