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HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
- April '98 by Kim Cumbie Risky Business Almost 2,000 Kentucky men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. It's the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in the United States, after skin cancer. Current data indicate that one in every six men will develop the disease. Do these statistics alarm you? Despite its intensely personal nature, men shouldn't hesitate to talk with their doctor about prostate cancer. Screening and early detection, coupled with individualized, often curative treatments, are the keys to survival. "Cancers detected at an early stage have an 80-90 percent 10-year survival rate with treatment," says Michael Cookson, M.D., assistant professor of surgery and chief of urologic oncology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine. New screening methods aid in early cancer detection. A routine exam consists of a digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The tests are relatively painless and help doctors decide whether further testing is indicated. If either test is abnormal, your doctor might perform a biopsy to determine if cancer is present. The American Cancer Society suggests that men between the ages of 50 and 75 should have annual exams. Men at high risk should begin at age 40. What puts a man at high risk? Family ties can suggest a predisposition to the disease. Men with a father, brother or uncle who has had prostate cancer are high risk, as are African-Americans, who have a 66 percent higher rate of prostate cancer than Caucasians. Though the symptoms of prostate cancer aren't exclusive to the disease, you should see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
"Early prostate cancer is not symptomatic, which is why we encourage screening," Cookson says. "Symptoms of prostate cancer aren't specific to the disease." For example, bone pain could be arthritis, cancer, or some other disease. Difficulty in urination could be benign prostate enlargement, which is common in older men. Bleeding could be kidney stones or an infection. Cookson says any of these symptoms should prompt you to see a urologist. "With screening and early diagnosis, there are effective treatments for early stage prostate cancer, such as radiation, surgery, or even watchful monitoring. If the disease advances beyond the prostate gland, we can alleviate some of the symptoms, but not the disease," explains Cookson. Treatment varies with the individual and depends on the stage of cancer, age, health and mindset of the patient. The doctor must find a balance that suits the patient and the nature of his tumor. "If someone has cancer at age 75, we may safely treat it by expectant management and close follow-up. If a patient is diagnosed at 43 years of age, and has a father who died of prostate cancer, we'd recommend aggressive treatment," Cookson continues. Healthy living may increase your ability to avoid the disease. Some studies have suggested a low-fat diet may slow cancer growth if the disease is present, so some experts recommend avoiding red meats. Other epidemiologic studies indicate that vitamin supplements, such as selenium, at the usual dose, might help lower the risk of prostate cancer. Despite substantial increases in the number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed, the good news is that with new screening methods and more public awareness, the survival rate has increased over the past 30 years from 50-87 percent of diagnosed cases. Don't wait. Get checked. You owe it to yourself and your family.
Kim Cumbie is a senior information specialist for U.K. Chandler Medical Center Office of Public Affairs
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