Download He`s Your Guy – Keep Him on Track

Woman
June 2015
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He’s Your Guy –
Keep Him on
Track
By THOMAS R. CLEMENTS, M.D.
S
o, what does a woman need to
know about prostate cancer?
Last I checked, women don’t
have prostates; however, most
woman have a man in their lives, whether
that be a husband, father, grandfather, son,
or friend who does have a prostate.
Let’s face it: Men don’t have the greatest
track record when it comes to keeping tabs
on their own health. So every woman should
know something about prostate cancer to
“”
After skin cancer,
prostate cancer is the
most common cancer in
American men.
keep the men in their lives on the right track.
The prostate is a part of the man’s
reproductive system. Its primary function is
to make part of the seminal fluid that carries
the sperm out of the body. It is located deep
in the pelvis, underneath the bladder and in
front of the rectum.
Thomas R. Clements, M.D., urologist with
Urology of Central PA in Harrisburg.
A normal prostate is about the size of a
walnut. As the prostate grows, it can squeeze
the urethra, the tube in which urine flows,
and cause difficulties with urination.
Prostate cancer begins at the cell level.
Normal cells in the prostate and other parts
of the body grow and divide from new cells
as they are needed. Sometimes, however, this
process goes wrong.
New cells form when the body doesn’t
need them, and old or damaged cells don’t
die as they should. The buildup of extra cells
often forms a mass of tissue called a growth
or tumor.
What’s so important about prostate
cancer, you ask? Well, after skin cancer,
prostate cancer is the most common cancer in
American men.
Yes, that’s right; it’s the second most
common cancer in men! In 2015 alone, it is
continued
estimated that there will be 220,800 new cases
of prostate cancer. In addition, there will be
27,540 deaths from prostate cancer.
How does that rank in overall deaths from
cancer? It’s in second place, only behind lung
cancer. Prostate cancer can be a serious
disease.
Fortunately, most men diagnosed with
prostate cancer will not die from it. About 60
percent of the cases are diagnosed in men
over the age of 65. Some of the risk factors for
prostate cancer include: race, family history,
diet, age, smoking, and obesity.
Screening for prostate cancer is the best
way to stay protected (and be informed). In
general, screening is recommended for all
men between the ages of 55 and 69 years old.
Getting checked for prostate cancer involves
three simple steps: a visit to your doctor, a
blood test, and a digital rectal exam.
The visit with the doctor will include an
analysis to one’s personal health history to
look for any potential risk factors.
There is a blood test is for the PSA
(prostate specific antigen). This is a protein
that is secreted by the prostate into the blood
stream and will be elevated in most cases of
prostate cancer.
In years past, we used to say that a PSA
over the level 4 was concerning. We now
know that the PSA gradually increases as we
get older, so there are new age-specific levels
of normal.
In the last few years, there has been a lot
of press about the PSA. To that I would say
that it’s not a perfect test, but it’s simple, and
over the last 20 years has significantly helped
men get diagnosed with prostate cancer at
earlier stages.
The rectal exam is also a critical test to
screen for prostate cancer. If either the PSA
or rectal exam findings are concerning, a
biopsy would be recommended. This is
performed with an ultrasound probe
through the rectum followed by 12 small
needle cores taken from the prostate. It is
typically done under anesthesia.
After the biopsy is done, a pathologist will
look at the tissue and decide whether or not
cancer is present. If it is, they will give it a
Gleason grade, which is a way to look at how
aggressive the cancer is.
There are also several new genetic tests
that help grade aggressiveness. Fortunately,
there are many good treatment options
for prostate cancer.
Some include: active surveillance
(watchful waiting), surgery, radiation
therapy, brachytherapy, hormone therapy,
cyrotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Each treatment has specific advantages
and risks associated with it and will be
discussed in great detail with your urologist
once the diagnosis is made.
Prostate cancer is treatable and even
curable when detected early. According
to the most recent data, when including
all stages of prostate cancer, the five-,
10-, and 15-year survival rates are 100
percent, 99 percent, and 94 percent,
respectively.
So, take time to ask the men in your lives
about their prostates. Ask them about the
last time they got checked. Have them tell
you their latest PSA. Remind them that a
simple blood test and a rectal exam is
nothing compared to what you have to go
through every time you see your
gynecologist or have a mammogram.
•
Thomas R. Clements, M.D., is a urologist with
Urology of Central PA in Harrisburg. He is board
certified by the American Board of Urology. More
information can be found on www.urologycp.com
Reprinted with permission of BusinessWoman, a monthly newspaper focused on the interests of business women in south Central Pa.
BusinessWoman is published by on-Line Publishers, inc., 3912 abel Drive, Columbia, Pa 17512 • 717.285.1350 • [email protected] • www.BusinessWomanPa.com