Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics, accounting for 22% of deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, there are 220,800 new cases of prostate cancer each year and 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Hispanics are least likely that non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with this type of cancer, but that still doesn’t doesn’t mean they’re safe from not getting it.
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Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the gland cells of a man’s prostate. It generally occurs to older men, the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 66 years old. Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed from this type of cancer, will not die from it.
Risk Factors
Prostate cancer only affects men, since women don’t have a prostate gland.
Risk factors include:
- Age: The older the man is the more likely he will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Family History: If there is also a family history, such as a father or a brother, then they’re more than likely to develop the disease.
- Ethnicity: Hispanics are least likely to get the disease than African-Americans, but there’s always a chance.
Not all men experience symptoms of prostate cancer and many times it is detected during a routine check-up. Common symptoms can include:
- The need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
- Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Screening
There is no specific age when men should get tested for prostate cancer, but if it runs in the family or you have symptoms, then it’s important to talk to your doctor. If you’re high risk, such as have family history of prostate cancer, then your doctor will probably suggest that you get tested as early as 40. Most African-American men are encouraged to start testing between ages 40 and 45, since they are high risk for this type of cancer. Three types of tests:
- The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): The DRE involves the doctor inserting a gloved finger in the anus, where it is possible to feel part of the surface of the prostate.
- The PSA blood test (PSA): The PSA blood test looks for the presence of a protein in the blood that is produced specifically by prostate cells.
- Biopsy: Based on your test results you may be referred to a urologist to have a biopsy taken. This is the only way to determine if cancer is present.
When most people hear the word cancer, they get scared, they have to take time to process it. When it comes to prostate cancer, just like other cancers, it’s very difficult to hear this diagnosis. You will have many questions to ask your doctor and the first thing you have to ask your doctor is what stage it is in and what are your treatment options. Some prostate cancers grow slowly, so you may not need surgery or other aggressive forms of treatments. Some of the treatment options include:
- Active Surveillance
- Prostatectomy
- Radiotherapy
- Hormone Therapy
- Chemotherapy
If you suspect you might have issues with your prostate or have any of the above symptoms, please visit your doctor. It’s important that you get a correct diagnosis in a timely manner in order to increase the chances of survival.
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