Every year, September is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time when individuals, communities, and organizations come together to raise awareness about this prevalent yet often misunderstood disease. In Canada, it is estimated that 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. It is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer and the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in men. We'll delve into the significance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and why it's crucial to spread awareness.
Understanding prostate cancer
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system, responsible for producing seminal fluid. This gland can develop cancerous cells, leading to prostate cancer. It can progress slowly and for some, there are no symptoms until the cancer has reached a more advanced stage.
It is believed that at any given time, up to 25% of men are affected by urinary issues, to some degree or another. As they age, their chances of experiencing and suffering symptoms increase dramatically. One of the most common causes of a bladder obstruction is an enlarged prostate; however, urinary symptoms also have the potential to be caused by cancer. Suppose you experience symptoms, including difficulty urinating, urinating too often, or find that you are getting up frequently at night to urinate. In that case, you may want to talk to your health care provider about testing and treatment options.
Screening for prostate cancer
The prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) blood test is one of the most widely used screening tools for prostate cancer and checks for the presence of a protein produced by the prostate cells. The benefits of PSA screening are not consistent. It can also produce false positives (for example, a result that shows that prostate cancer is present when it is not) that can lead to other harms, including further tests (such as biopsies) that may not be necessary. It may also result in overdiagnosis, overtreatment, and complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. When it comes to taking the test, experts are divided. A growing body of evidence shows that any small benefits associated with PSA screening may not outweigh the potential harms related to further testing and unnecessary treatments.
The decision to be screened for any disease, including prostate cancer, should involve weighing the pros and cons, along with one’s personal risk factors and preferences, in collaboration with a health care professional. Patient decision aids, often available in different media, including print, video, and web-based formats can be helpful for your learning and to inform discussions with a health care provider. This can make the decision-making process less overwhelming and help you navigate more clearly.
To learn more about prostate cancer, screening options, and access patient decision aids that may be helpful to you, consult our resources below.
