Key Information About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a medical condition that is characterized by uncontrolled, malignant growth of cells in the prostate gland.

It is the second most commonly occurring cancer in men and the fourth most commonly occurring cancer overall.

The exact cause of prostate cancer is difficult to determine. Autopsy studies show 1 in 3 men over the age of 50 have some cancer cells in the prostate.

Usually multiple factors are involved, including genetics and exposure to environmental toxins.

About 5 to 10 percent of all prostate cancers diagnosed are hereditary.

A research study conducted in the year 2013 at the Portland VA Medical Center and Oregon Health and Science University indicates that exposure to Agent Orange increases the risk of aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

Foods high in saturated fats like those found in meat and dairy increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Difficulty emptying the bladder, blood in the urine, back pain, weak flow while urinating, hip pain, feeling that the bladder is not empty after urinating, pelvis pain, dribbling urine after urinating, blood in the semen, frequent urination during night hours, weight loss, erectile dysfunction and sudden need to urinate are some symptoms of prostate cancer.

Most common diagnostic tools are digital rectal exams and blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Introduction of PSA screening has resulted in more than one million additional men being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in the USA.

Urologists usually recommend prostate biopsy if results from initial tests, such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or digital rectal exam, suggest the person may have prostate cancer.

Researchers at Radboud university medical center have developed a "deep learning" system that is better than most pathologists at determining the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

A test which is now available at UCSF and UCLA, makes cancer cells light up on positron emission tomography (PET) with a radioactive compound developed more than a decade ago in Germany.

Prostate cancer can be cured when detected and treated early. Scientists using ultrasound to treat some types of prostate cancer have cured the disease in almost two thirds of cases with minimal side effects.

Abiraterone acetate (Zytiga), Apalutamide (Erleada) and Enzalutamide (Xtandi) are used to treat this disease.

Nubeqa, or darolutamide, is used to treat patients who have got prostate cancer that has not spread but is castration-resistant.

IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) uses high doses of radiation to kill prostate cancer cells while protecting the healthy cells that surround prostate cancer.

Yoga reduces prostate cancer related tiredness.

Include Brazil nuts, soy, tomatoes, coffee, broccoli, berries, walnuts, carrots, green tea and pomegranate in your diet.

Adhere to plant-based diet. Do yoga daily. Reduce salt intake. You may use spices and herbs to flavor your food.

A team funded by the World Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK has found that men who exercise daily could halve their risk of prostate cancer.

Given that prostate cancer feeds on testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, there have been multiple large studies trying to lower dihydrotestosterone in men to prevent prostate cancer.

A research study conducted at the University College London in December 2019 claimed that targeted screening aimed at men with a higher genetic risk of prostate cancer could prevent nearly one in six deaths associated with the disease.