9 common myths about prostate cancer
Anna Kapranova, Likar.info
Most men don't think they can develop prostate cancer unless their father or brother had it. However, considering that about 164,000 men in the United States alone will be diagnosed with this diagnosis in 2018, it is likely that this problem may concern you or your acquaintance. But, despite the seriousness of this disease, most men still do not die from it. In fact, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that more than 2.9 million Americans who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. Despite this prevalence of the disease, it is shrouded in myths and prejudices. One way to clarify the situation and destroy myths is to learn more about what prostate cancer is, how to treat it, and who is at risk of getting it.
So…
Prostate cancer only occurs in older men
Prostate cancer is indeed more common in older men, but young men also get sick with it. According to the ACS, about 40% of all cases occur in men under 65 years of age. But the disease is quite common among men 40-50 years old, but those who have not yet reached 40 years, it is rarely diagnosed. The exact age at which prostate cancer screening should be performed regularly is still a matter of confusion and debate. We recommend talking to your doctor about testing for PSA (prostate specific antigen) as soon as you turn 50. The exception is the family history of the disease – in this case, it's a good idea to start screening for PSA at the age of 40-45 years.
My father had prostate cancer, so I will have it too
If one of the patient's relatives was ill or has prostate cancer, say, a father or brother, his chances of getting sick will be twice as high as those who do not have such a family history of the disease. Two family members with prostate cancer increase the risk fivefold. However, a family history of cancer does not guarantee its development in all family members. If someone in your family has had prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about when to start having regular PSA screenings. Most likely, he will recommend that you be examined more often and carefully monitor your health.
Prostate cancer is not fatal
While the five-year survival rate with prostate cancer is very high (90 percent, according to ACS), this type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men. It is preceded only by lung cancer. Most types of prostate cancers are called "lazy" by doctors, which means that they develop slowly and can often be controlled for many years without serious treatment. But sometimes prostate cancer becomes aggressive and rapidly developing. Although such a cancer is quite rare, you can only find out about it by passing an examination. In other words, if we assume that prostate cancer is not dangerous, and refuse further examination and treatment, it can play a cruel joke and make the disease deadly. It is worth noting that the risks of prostate cancer are distributed rather unevenly. The U.S. Department of Health reports that African-American men are 2.3 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than whites.
If prostate cancer comes back again, it can no longer be cured
A recurrence of prostate cancer can be excruciating. But just because the cancer is coming back, it doesn't mean that it won't be possible to achieve remission again. Most likely, you will just have to take a different approach to treatment. Remember that you always have the opportunity to cure cancer, even if it returned a second time, especially if you had a radical prostatectomy, because in this case, if you immediately detect a relapse and undergo radiation therapy, you will have a high chance of recovery. One of the reasons doctors often recommend surgery before radiation is that people will be able to get a second chance at treatment if the cancer comes back again.
PSA analysis is harmful to health
Some prostate cancer experts oppose regular PSA testing, but not because of the test itself - it's just a simple blood test. PSA analysis is certainly not perfect, but it does not pose any real danger to your health. The real danger is anxiety and sometimes erroneous decision–making when it comes to interpreting PSA results. According to ACS, PSA levels above 4 usually indicate the development of prostate cancer. However, a PSA level between 4 and 10 leads to a diagnosis of prostate cancer in only 25 percent of cases. The reasons for high PSA levels can vary depending on factors such as cycling and ejaculation. As a result, some men undergo invasive biopsies that they do not need. Or, if there is cancer, too aggressive treatment is prescribed for a slow-growing tumor, which usually does not cause serious problems. This does not mean that PSA analysis is useless and cannot save someone's life. Since its appearance, prostate cancer diagnosis has become more frequent, but the mortality rate has decreased. And this is partly due to the PSA analysis, which allows you to detect cancer at an early stage, when it is more susceptible to treatment. Talk to your doctor about how and how often you should be screened for prostate cancer. If the psa level is low, it means there is no prostate cancer
PSA levels may be useful in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, but this is only a small part of the necessary afforestation. PSA analysis is far from perfect. A parallel can be drawn between low PSA rates and a negative mammogram result in women. If the mammogram result is negative, it does not exclude the presence of cancer by 100 percent. Similarly, if the PSA score is relatively low, it cannot be interpreted as a complete absence of cancer. However, the opposite may also happen: in some cases, a biopsy after receiving an elevated PSA gives a negative result, which means that there is still no cancer. To get the most complete picture of the health of your prostate, one examination method is not enough. A biopsy or MRI may be included with the PSA analysis. Although biopsy is still considered the gold standard when it comes to cancer diagnosis, MRI can determine the localization and help optimize the effectiveness of the biopsy.
Treatment of prostate cancer inevitably leads to impotence
According to a study published in the December 2014 issue of the International Journal of Urology, progress has been made in the development of models for predicting erectile dysfunction after local treatment of prostate cancer. The development of impotence depends on many factors, including the professionalism of the surgeon who performs the operation. As surgical techniques improve, men recover faster and experience fewer side effects. A year after surgery, approximately 25% of patients report that they do not have erectile dysfunction, 25% will have mild dysfunction, another 25% will have moderate dysfunction, and the remaining 25% will have severe. Age can also be a complicating factor. Men 60-70 years old, even before getting on the operating table, as a rule, there is a violation of sexual function in one form or another. Treatment of prostate cancer, of course, will not only not fix this problem, but will probably significantly worsen it.
Treatment of prostate cancer inevitably leads to urinary incontinence
After sexual function, men are most concerned about urinary incontinence as a result of prostate cancer treatment. However, experts say that side effects in the sexual sphere are more common than side effects associated with urinary incontinence. Most men do not have serious problems with urination. If you have already had problems with your bladder, you will most likely encounter minor incontinence, but in most cases this situation is temporary and treatable. We recommend that you look for a surgeon who has performed similar operations many times, as experience really matters.
You will offend the doctor if you want to get a second opinion about your illness
Seeking a second opinion is not bad manners, but common sense. Even the doctors themselves ask for help and advice from their colleagues. There is nothing wrong with talking to several doctors to dispel all your doubts before performing a serious operation. Feel free to ask about everything that concerns you: from the diagnosis to possible treatment options. Do not sacrifice your own well-being for fear of causing discomfort to your doctor.
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