Contents:
Know
the Facts About Prostate Cancer
Prostate
Cancer
High
Risk Patients
Classification
Signs and
Symptoms
Prevention
Websites About
Prostate Cancer
University
News
Know the Facts About Prostate Cancer
This edition of Health in our Hands will focus on a very common cancer in men, prostate cancer. This has become one of the most common cancers in society today, and it is very important to get tested and to know the facts about prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is simply defined as a malignant tumor inside the prostate gland. The cause of this disease remains unknown, but some studies have shown relationships to a high dietary fat intake and increased testosterone. Prostate cancer has become the second most common cause of cancer death in men, and it is currently the most common cause of cancer death in men over age 75. It is the second most common cancer in men behind nonmelanoma skin cancers. The American Cancer Society predicts that about 180,400 new cases will be diagnosed in the year 2000 alone. While this is a very serious disease, the outlook is good. Ninety two percent of men with prostate cancer survive at least five years. Sixty-seven percent of patients survive ten years. Hopefully, these survival rates will continue to improve as treatment techniques become more advanced and enjoy more success.
Some risk factors associated with prostate cancer include the following:
- Age - More than 85% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65. The chance of developing prostate cancer increases after age 50.
- Race - Prostate cancer is higher in African American males than in Caucasian men. Japanese men are rarely affected.
-Nationality- Prostate cancer is common in North America and northwestern Europe. It is much less common in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America.
-Diet- Some research has indicated a relationship between increased risk of prostate cancer and a high fat diet with few fruits and vegetables. Studies have also suggested that men with vegetarian diets may have decreased risks. Substances called lycopenes may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. These lycopenes are found in high levels in fruits and vegetables like cooked or raw tomatoes, grapefruit, and watermelon.
- Family History - Some researchers believe that prostate cancer may have an inherited genetic factor. Men with a brother or father with prostate cancer have a doubled risk of prostate cancer. The risk is even greater with multiple relatives or if the relatives were diagnosed at a young age.
- Vasectomy - Some research has suggested that men who have had a vasectomy have a slightly increased risk of prostate cancer.
This cancer is classified based on how aggressive the tumor is and how much it differs from the normal cells around it. Most prostate cancers tend to grow very slowly which is good for treatment. Prostate cancer commonly spreads by entering the seminal vesicles, bladder, and peritoneal cavity. This cancer also commonly metastasises (spreads) to the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Many early cases of prostate cancer
will produce no symptoms, and these are only diagnosed after early detection
procedures like PSA and DRE exams. Some common signs and symptoms
of prostate cancer include low back pain, pain during urination, urinary
retention, dribbling during urination, and urinary hesitancy. Other
symptoms which may be seen in prostate cancer are excessive urination at
night, increased urinary frequency and urgency, excessive sweating, abnormal
urine color, blood in the urine, abdominal pain, anemia,
weight loss, and bone pain or tenderness.
Currently, there are no definite
preventive measures that will reduce the chances of developing prostate
cancer. Some studies have shown that eating a vegetarian, low fat
diet could decrease the risks. Since there are not any solid preventive
measures, men must concentrate on early detection. It is recommended
that men over fifty years old need to have a yearly screening for prostate
cancer. High risk populations need to begin screenings at forty-five.
This screening will consist of a
digital rectal examination (DRE) and a prostate specific
antigen (PSA) blood test. PSA levels estimate how likely a man is
to have prostate cancer, but does not give a concrete diagnosis of the
disease. High PSA levels are over four nanograms/milliliter.
Men who have high PSA levels are then encouraged to have a biopsy to determine
whether a cancerous growth exists. These tests may also be used in
cases of prostate cancer to determine whether the cancer has spread and
that it has
come back after a period of remission.
After prostate cancer has been diagnosed, several other tests may be conducted in order to evaluate the spread of the disease. Some of these tests include a CT scan (also known as a CAT scan), an MRI, a bone scan, and a lymph node biopsy.
When a prostate tumor is caught early, it will usually still be a localized problem, and the five year survival rate for localized prostate cancer is near 100%. This illustrates the benefits of regular screening and ea rly detection in this disease. Since this early detection testing became common around 1990, the death rate from prostate cancer has dropped.
For more information about prostate cancer, treatments, or early detection, check out these web pages.
Arkansas Cancer Research
Center
* Thanks to everyone who participated in the American Heartwalk, Race for the Cure, and the Diabetes Walk. In the Heartwalk alone, ASU raised over $5,400. Good job!
* The Wellness Program continues to offer noontime fitness programs in the P.E. Building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Callie Franks is the group leader.
* KASU’s Focus on Health radio program, which is hosted by Dr. Jim Farris, has moved to Sundays at 12:30. Tune in to 91.9 FM for discussion aboutthe latest health topics.
* Watch “Health in Your Hands” on ASU-TV (Cable channel 63) on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m.
* The College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a Continuing Education series on Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Session II will be on November 18, and it will focus on Herbal Therapies. Session III will discuss Reflexology, and it will be held on December 2. For a registration brochure, contact the Dean’s office at extension 3112.
* The Student Health Center is sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, November 15th, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The bus will be parked between Wilson Hall and the Carl Reng Center. Please come out and donate blood!
* Join the Student Health Center for National HIV/AIDS Day, Friday, December 1st, at our booth in the Carl Reng Center. Free HIV tests will be offered. Oral OSHA swabs may also be offered. Times will be announced soon.
* If there are health topics that you would like for us to focus on, please contact hanrahan@crow.astate.edu
* Mark your calendar – A Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by the College of Nursing and Health Professions, will be held on March 10th. Get your team organized! More information will be available soon. Contact the Dean’s office at extension 3112 with questions.
* Look forward to the December issue of Health in Our Hands. This issue will focus on dental disease and its prevention.
oooOooo
The Arkansas State University Employee Wellness Newsletter is published monthly during the academic year by the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Health questions can be addressed to Dean Susan Hanrahan, Ph. D., ext. 3112 or hanrahan@crow.astate.edu.
Produced by Kimberly McGaughey, graduate student in CNHP, Physical Therapy Program.