Spotlight on prostate cancer
The prostate gland exists in men at the base of the bladder. There is a one in six chance of a man developing prostate cancer, but it can often be cured. Once prostate cancer spreads is it usually incurable. Treatment can range from surgery to chemotherapy to “active surveillance”.
Prostate cancer symptoms The symptoms can include: • frequent urination, particularly at night; • pain on urination; • blood in the urine;
What is prostate cancer?
• a weak urinary stream.
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow more quickly than in a normal prostate, forming a malignant tumour.
More widespread disease often spreads to the bones and gives pain or unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, and the third most common cause of cancer death. One in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85. It is more common in older men, with 63 per cent of cases diagnosed in those over 65 years of age.
Causes of prostate cancer
In 2013, 19,233 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Australia. The five-year survival rate for all men diagnosed with prostate cancer is 95 per cent. Nearly all patients who present with localised disease will live beyond five years. Prostate cancer that has spread elsewhere in the body is not currently curable, but there are effective therapies available to control it In 2014, there were 3102 deaths caused by prostate cancer, accounting for 13 per cent of all cancer deaths in Australian men.
Some factors that can increase your risk of prostate cancer include: • age, the risk increases after age 50; • f amily history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer; • a diet high in fats and low in fresh fruit and vegetables; • men of African descent are at higher risk than men of European or Asian descent;
For prostate cancer clinical trials see page 39
Information derived from Cancer Council Australia https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/prostate-cancer/
26 A LITTLE BELOW THE BELT