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Prostate Cancer is the single most common cancer among American men and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. One out of every six men develop this disease in their lifetime. However, for the first time, the number of men dying from prostate cancer in the United States has actually declined. This may be due to improved early detection and regular PSA testing.
A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is a blood test to help in the early detection of prostate cancer. PSA, a component of semen, is made by the prostate. Some PSA naturally leaks from the prostate into the bloodstream. The PSA test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. As a man ages, more PSA leaks into the blood. Problems with the prostate such as prostate infection, enlargement, or cancer may cause extra PSA to enter the blood. If a PSA test shows an abnormal result, other tests are necessary to help determine the cause of the increase.
What is the prostate gland and what does it do? The prostate is a small gland lying just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate wraps around the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). The prostate produces much of the semen which is the fluid that carries sperm and is also a nutrient for sperm. If cells in the prostate change abnormally, cancer may form. In its early stages, prostate cancer has no symptoms. SCREENING for prostate cancer is so important because the best chance for cure is when the cancer is small and confined to the prostate.
Who is at risk for Prostate Cancer? All men are potentially at risk for developing prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is most often a disease of older men, however, young men can get prostate cancer as well. The risk of prostate cancer increases if there are males in your family who have prostate cancer, particularly if they have developed it at a younger age. African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer at a younger age, for reasons that are not well understood. In fact, African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.
The American Urological Association recommends a yearly PSA if:
You are a white male over 50 years with no family history of prostate cancer.
You are an African-American male over 40 years old.
You are over 40 years old with a family member with prostate cancer.
How can I decrease my risks of getting prostate cancer?
A diet low in fat and high in soy products may decrease the risk.
Both Vitamin E and Selenium supplements may independently reduce the risk.
The above are currently under study.
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