Download Prostate Cancer - COSHAR Foundation

As published in Gospel Today Magazine
Dear Health in Action,
My father, who is 78 years old, was recently diagnosed with
prostate cancer and is undergoing treatment, which
includes radiation “pellets”. I am 41 years old and have 2
sons aged 19 and 7 and I am worried about our risk of
prostate cancer. I also have 4 brothers, none of them have
been diagnosed with prostate cancer or have anything
except for high blood pressure and one drinks too much.
Could you tell me what my chances are of getting prostate cancer and what I can tell my sons?
William Charlotte, NC
Dear William,
Thank you so much for your question as this is a major health risk for men. Let’s start with the basics: The
prostate is a muscular, walnut-sized gland that surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that takes urine and sperm
out of the body. A gland is a group of cells that secretes chemicals that act on or control the activity of other
cells or organs. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. Its main job is to produce seminal fluid,
the milky substance that transports sperm. Sperm is produced in the testicles, which also produce the male
hormone testosterone. The prostate is located directly beneath the bladder (the organ that holds urine) and in
front of the rectum (which is the lower part of the large intestine). Because the upper part of the urethra goes
through the prostate, if the gland becomes enlarged it can obstruct the passage of urine or semen through the
urethra. Then men will complain of a delay or hesitancy with urination and/or ejaculation.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
Like many cancers, the cause of prostate cancer is unknown. But doctors do know it is more common in
African-American men and men with a family history of the disease. Therefore, because of your father’s current
fight with prostate cancer, you and your male family members are at an increased risk (see risk factor’s below).
However, there is no 100 % certainly that you will have prostate cancer, it just means that you have a slightly
higher risk than another brother who has no family history of the disease.
Cancer in any part of the body basically is “cells that have gone crazy” and don’t know what they are supposed
to be growing into. These “deranged” cells begin multiplying and become a mass or a tumor. These tumors can
be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that usually begins in
the outer part of the prostate. In most men, the cancer grows very slowly. In fact, many men with the disease
will never know they had the condition. Early prostate cancer is usually limited to the prostate gland itself, and
the majority of patients with this type of cancer can live for years with no problems. It's been said that more
men will die with prostate cancer than from prostate cancer. That's because men are more likely to develop
prostate cancer, as they grow older. However, prostate cancer is one of the slowest growing cancers, and
"watching and waiting" may be a valid approach in men with a limited life expectancy. In younger men, early
detection of prostate cancer is important, as treatment may be curative. Once prostate cancer spreads, treatment
becomes more difficult.
More than 180,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and more than 30,000 will
die of the disease. Eighty percent of men who reach age 80 have prostate cancer. These statistics demand that
we try to spread the word about prevention and early detection. .
While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also improving.
Eighty-nine percent of the men diagnosed with the disease will survive at least five years, while 63% will
survive 10 years or longer. Because prostate cancer is a slow growing disease, many affected men will die from
other causes. Evidence also indicates that many patients detect their prostate cancer at a curable stage because
of annual screening. We have treatment options available for men with prostate cancer, but the longer that the
disease goes undiagnosed and untreated, the worse the outcome may be and the risk to your health. There is
always the risk that the cancer will metastasize “spread” to other parts of the body, which may cause even
greater risks to your health. We cannot stress enough the need for regular screenings and taking preventive steps
to better health.
All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. A man has about a 1 in 10 chance of being diagnosed with
prostate cancer during his lifetime. Besides being male, there are other factors, such as age, race, and family
history, which may contribute to a person's risk.
Risk Factors
Age: The greatest risk factor for prostate cancer is age. More than 75% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in
men over 65.
Family history: Men whose relatives have had prostate cancer are considered to be at high risk. Having a father
or brother with the disease doubles your risk for prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Therefore, screening for prostate cancer should be started at least by age 40, and many would argue to begin at
age 35 for you and your brothers. Your sons are not at the same level of risk from prostate cancer as you are;
however, most experts agree that they should be screened annually after age 40.
Race: African Americans have the highest incidence of prostate cancer. They are 30%-50% more likely to get
prostate cancer than any other race in America. However, Japanese and African males living in their native
countries have a low incidence of prostate cancer. Rates for these groups increase sharply when they immigrate
to the U.S. African Americans are the second group of men for whom prostate cancer testing should begin at
age 40. Many experts believe that there is an environmental connection, possibly related to high-fat diets, less
exposure to the sun, exposure to heavy metals such as cadmium, infectious agents, or smoking that accounts for
the effect of race on prostate cancer. However, these remain theories.
Diet: As with most diseases, there is a link between prostate cancer and your diet. The disease is much more
common in countries where meat and dairy products are taken in more, compared to countries where the men
eat more rice, soybean products, and vegetables. Some experts also think that men who have a diet high in
calcium and fruit sugars have increased rates of prostate cancer.
Other possible risk factors include; increased male hormones and men with a sedentary lifestyle (no exercise).
Having reviewed the risk factors, many men wonder how they will know if they have prostate cancer.
Additionally, many men say that they feel fine so they know that they do not have prostate cancer.
Unfortunately, prostate cancer, in its early stages, may not cause any symptoms. But as it progresses, symptoms
often appear.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night

Difficulty starting urination

Inability to urinate

Weak or interrupted flow of urine (dribbling)

Painful or burning urination

Painful ejaculation

Blood in urine or semen

Frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs
Screening for Prostate Cancer: Men should have an open and honest conversation with their doctor regarding
their medical history, including family history and any concerns regarding prostate cancer. Currently the
recommendations vary on when, who and how men should be screened for the disease. However, generally the
digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) are the most commonly used screening
tests in patients without symptoms. The American Cancer Society recommends an annual DRE for both
prostate and colorectal cancer, beginning at age 40. It recommends that the annual examination of men age 50
and older should include a serum PSA measurement and that PSA screening should begin at age 40 for African
American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.
1. The Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): This involves a visit with your doctor and he/she will palpate (feel)
the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas known as nodules.
2. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA: This is a blood test used to detect a substance made by the prostate
called the PSA.
When used together, these tests can detect abnormalities that might suggest prostate cancer. Neither of these
screening tests for prostate cancer is perfect. Many men with a mildly elevated PSA do not have prostate
cancer, and men with prostate cancer may have normal levels of PSA. Also, the digital rectal exam does not
detect all prostate cancers. The diagnosis can only be made by the physician getting a biopsy of the prostate
and looking at the cells under a microscope. This is done by a physician that specializes in the urogenital
system; an urologist. .
Your father is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer that involves radiation. However, treatment
for prostate cancer can include everything from "watchful waiting" to removal of the entire prostate gland. As
Christian physicians, we believe that the fundamental in any treatment approach is to as God to direct our path
and ask for his divine healing either supernaturally or using the medical gifts and knowledge that He has
allowed to be made know to man. We are clear that all healing comes from Him and that the medical
community is only an instrument. We encourage men to have a very open discussion with your physician and
your family regarding the diagnosis and treatment plans. We often encourage men to get a second opinion, to
ask for more information and to seek support groups.
The treatment route that men with prostate cancer and their doctor choose is based on how large your tumor is,
whether it has spread, and your personal preferences.
Treatment is divided into categories:

Radiation therapy
o
Includes: Radioactive Seeds (“pellets”)

Chemotherapy

Surgery to remove the prostate gland

Hormone treatment to reduce the size of the tumor

Cryotherapy

Surveillance (watchful waiting)

Combination Therapy
Of course, all treatment options have potential side effects and will affect each man differently. One of the
major questions that men ask about treatment for prostate cancer relates to their ability to maintain sexual
intimacy. This should be discussed openly with the physician and often it is very helpful if both the husband
and the wife have this discussion. Any cancer diagnosis, feels overwhelming for both the patient and their
family but we know that with Christ we can overcome ANYTHING! Be a support for your father and be a
source of information for your brothers and sons. Make sure that you take care of your health and get screened
for prostate cancer. We are praying for you and your family.
Other Conditions of the Prostate:
1. Acute prostatitis: A bacterial infection of the prostate. It can occur in men at any
age. Symptoms include fever, chills, and pain in the lower back and between the legs.
This problem also can make it hard or painful to urinate. This is treated with
antibiotics and we tell patients to drink more liquids, particularly water.
2. Chronic prostatitis: This is a prostate infection that comes back again and again.
The symptoms are similar to those of acute prostatitis except that there is usually no
fever. Also, the symptoms are usually milder in chronic prostatitis. However, they
can last a long time. Chronic prostatitis is hard to treat. Antibiotics often work when