MEN BREAKING BARRIERS Cancer Trust

Silence is not a cure, and ignorance is not prevention.

 

CANCER

Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and invade other tissues.

 

Prostate cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

 

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. The disease accounted for 7.9 million deaths (or around 13% of all deaths worldwide) in 2007. About 80% of all cancer deaths in 2007 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, with an estimated 12 million deaths in 2030 (World Health Organisation).

 

In 2005 CANCER killed approximately 5,000 people in Zambia. Three thousand and one hundred (3,100) of those people were under the age of 70 (World Health Organisation).

 

THE PROSTATE GLAND

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system that is responsible for producing twenty percent of the fluid containing semen. This fluid helps protect sperm from the vagina's acidity during ejaculation. This walnut shaped gland is situated under the bladder and in front of the rectum.

 

The urethra coming from the bladder runs through the prostate gland .The male urethra has two functions: to carry urine from the bladder during urination and to carry semen during ejaculation.

 

Because of its location, if the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it can create bothersome urinary problems.

 

Fig 1 Male Reproductive System

 

PROSTATE CANCER

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells with can affect almost any part of the body. Prostate cancer   occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. These cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, especially the bones and lymph nodes. This often causes severe pain.

The exact numbers of men who may be affected are not known because many who may be affected prefer not to talk about urinary and prostate difficulties

 

SYMPTOMS

Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms but is often it is diagnosed during a routine checkup. However sometimes prostate cancer does cause symptoms which are as follows:

 

· Difficulty passing urine and  inability to urinate

· Passing urine often (particularly at night)

· Weak or interrupted urine flow

· Pain when urinating

· Blood in the urine and pain in the lower back, hips and upper thighs.

 

RISK FACTORS

1. AGE- Prostate cancer is very rare in men under 50 years of age but becomes more common with advancing age

2. ETHNICITY- African-American men are at highest risk

3. FAMILY HISTORY- Men who have a brother or father with prostate cancer have twice the usual risk of developing cancer. That risk is even higher when there are multiple family members affected.

4. DIET - a contributing factor prostate cancer high dietary fat. Low intakes of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower can also increase the risk of prostate cancer

 

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

· Prostate Specific Antigen(PSA) Blood Test- When the results of this test are high this suggests that there is prostate cancer

· Digital Rectal Examination- The examiner finds out whether there the prostate gland has  lumps or is larger than normal by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check the size, shape, and texture. However even if the prostate is enlarged it does not mean it’s cancerous.

· Ultrasound-  an ultrasound scan is done showing the exact size of the prostate

· Biopsy- this technique involves taking tiny sample of tissue from the prostate for microscopic examination

 

TREATMENT

·  Watchful waiting (active surveillance) - Is the observation and regular monitoring of any changes in the prostate gland. This technique is often used in the early stages of prostate cancer. Other treatments can be started if symptoms develop, or if there are signs that the cancer growth is accelerating.

· Surgery-this is the surgical removal of the prostate and the operation called a prostatectomy

· Hormone therapy- the male hormones (androgens) produced in the prostate and required for the growth and spread of most prostate cancer cells is blocked causing prostate cancer to stop growing and even shrink. Drugs are used in this case.

· Radiation therapy- also known as radiotherapy is used. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. When delivered in the correct dosage, radiation can reduce the risk of recurrence.

· Brach therapy -is a form of radiotherapy where a radioactive source is placed inside or next to the area requiring treatment and killing the tumor from the inside.

· Cryosurgery- is another method of treating prostate cancer in which the prostate gland is exposed to freezing temperatures. Metal rods are inserted through the skin of the perineum into the prostate. Highly purified Argon gas is used to cool the rods, freezing the surrounding tissue at −196 °C . As the water within the prostate cells freeze, the cells die.

 

      SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT

 

 Side effects for cancer treatment depend mainly on the type and extent of the treatment. Also,     each patient reacts differently and this can be long or short term. The main side effect of prostate cancer surgery is pain although can be controlled with medicine. Surgery can lead to permanent impotence and sometimes causes urinary incontinence. Patients may have diarrhoea. Radiation therapy may cause patients to become very tired as treatment continues and a risk of impotence. For hormone therapy most patients experience impotence, tiredness, weight gain and hot flushes during the course of the treatment. These cease when treatment stops. For cryo therapy the side effects are similar to that of radiotherapy and surgery

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer