Top 10 Things Women Should Know About Prostate Cancer

Women Against Prostate Cancer, a prostate cancer support group geared towards helping women and families affected by prostate cancer, wants to make sure every woman knows the facts about the disease.  Below are the top 10 things women should know:

1.  What is a prostate? The prostate is a walnut-sized male gland that contributes to the fluid that carries sperm. It is located just below the bladder.

2.  What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer occurs when a group of cells begins growing abnormally out of control in the prostate and invades healthy tissue. The cancer cells may also spread from the prostate to other parts of the body.

3.  Who does it affect? Prostate cancer does not only affect men; the disease can have a devastating effect on entire families, especially wives and partners.

4.  Who is at risk? According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, for African American men the rate is closer to 1 in 4.  Nearly 190,000 American men will be diagnosed this year, ultimately leading to 27,000 deaths.

5.  What are the risk factors? While the exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown there are dynamics that can increase a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer including:

Age: A man’s chance of developing prostate cancer increases quickly after age 50.
Family History: Those with a father, brother, uncle or other male relative who have had prostate cancer are at increased risk.
Race: African American males are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer, as they are up to twice as likely to develop and die from the disease.

6.  What are the signs & symptoms? Early stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. Therefore, in addition to regular checkups, a man should see a health care provider if he experiences persistent hip or back pain, has difficulty urinating, feels pain and/or a burning sensation during urination, or has blood in his urine.

7.  How is it caught early? The most common early detection methods include a digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.  Abnormalities may indicate the need for further testing.  WAPC recommends that at age 40 (35 for high risk men) men receive a baseline PSA and digital rectal exam, and speak with their physician about annual screening thereafter.

8.  What are common treatment options? Depending on the individual, there are several possible treatment options, each with a different side effect profile.  The most common treatments include prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and active surveillance, among others.

9.  What can women do to help?
• Gently remind him to get a prostate screening.  If that doesn’t work, pick up the phone and make an appointment. Early detection leads to the greatest outcomes and an improved quality of life.
• Stand by your man.  If your husband or partner is diagnosed, show support by attending doctor’s appointments or support group meetings with him.
• Research. As mentioned above, when it comes to treatment options the choices are numerous.  Learn all you can about each treatment, its side effect profile and expected outcomes, and share what you learn with your partner.
• Seek support. Connect with other women who are facing the same challenge. Join a local WAPC chapter for support, and to continue the fight against prostate cancer.

10.  What is the survival rate?  While there is much work to be done to end this disease, there is hope.  If detected early, prostate cancer is highly treatable.  To that end, according to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%.