Download A Prostate Cancer Alert

A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF
PROSTATE CANCER
PROSTATE CANCER 101
SPONSORED BY
THE CALIFORNIA STATE PROSTATE CANCER COALITION
AND
THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF STATE PROSTATE CANCER
COALITIONS
STATISTICS

Over 238,000 men will be diagnosed
with prostate cancer in 2013

About 29,720 men will die of prostate
cancer in 2013
(American Cancer Society statistics)
Why Should Every Man Be
Concerned About Prostate
Cancer? Because...
It is the second leading cause of
cancer death among American men
 Over ONE MILLION men have
Prostate Cancer and don’t know it
 It can kill – If it has spread distantly
at time of diagnosis, there is only a
28% chance of 5-year survival

Prostate Cancer is an Epidemic in
the U.S.

Every 2.5 minutes, a man will be told
he has prostate cancer
AND...

Every 17 minutes, a man will die from
prostate cancer
We Don’t Know the Causes, But
We Do Know What Factors
Increase Risk

Family history

Ethnic heritage

Diet and Nutrition
Myths

Prostate Cancer is an “old man’s”
disease

Prostate cancer is easy to cure

Men die WITH prostate cancer, not
FROM it
Prostate Cancer is Called a
“Silent Killer”

A diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
usually strikes without warning

Early Stage Prostate Cancer usually
does not exhibit the “traditional”
symptoms
Late Symptoms That May Give
Warning




Need to urinate
frequently, esp. at
night
Difficulty starting
urination or holding
back urination
Weak or interrupted
flow of urine
Inability to urinate




Painful or burning
urination
Blood in urine
Frequent pain or
stiffness in lower
back, hips, upper
thighs
Decreased sexual
function
Don’t Panic! See a Physician if you
DO have symptoms
You may not have Prostate Cancer
 You may have a non-cancerous
inflammation of the prostate known
as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
(BPH)
 You may have an inflammation of the
prostate known as Prostatitis

Annual Check-ups Are Your Best
Defense Against This Epidemic

The earlier Prostate Cancer is
detected, the better the chances of
survival

Early detection also means there are
more treatment options available
How Often Should You be
Tested?
Annually if...
– You are 40 years of age and have a life
expectancy of at least 10 years
– You are 35 and have a high risk factor
such as...
A Family History of Prostate Cancer
 You are African-American, Hispanic or
Native American

What Tests Will Your Physician
Use to Screen for Prostate Cancer
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
 Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
 Additional tests may include PCA3
and Prostate Health Index (PHI)
 Sometimes MRI-Guided Biopsy

It is essential that men overcome
their reluctance to have a physical!
THE TESTING QUANDARY

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS
OVERDIAGNOSIS?

IS THERE OVERTREATMENT?

HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH MEN
REQUIRE TREATMENT?
WHY TEST?
UNTIL WE KNOW WHICH MEN
REQUIRE TREATMENT, WE CAN’T
AFFORD TO STOP TESTING BECAUSE
WE WILL MISS THOSE MEN WHO
NEED TREATMENT TO SURVIVE, AND
WE WILL CAUSE AN INCREASE OF
METASTATIC DISEASE AT TIME OF
DIAGNOSIS!
PROSTATE CANCER IS A
TISSUE-BASED DIAGNOSIS
A HIGH PSA OR A PSA THAT IS
INCREASING IN A SHORT PERIOD
OF TIME WILL LIKELY LEAD TO A
BIOPSY
 AN ABNORMAL DRE WILL ALSO
LIKELY LEAD TO A BIOPSY

GLEASON SCORE

A DESCRIPTION BY THE
PATHOLOGIST OF WHAT HE SEES
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE WHEN
HE EXAMINES THE BIOPSY
SPECIMEN: THE HIGHER THE
NUMBER, THE MORE AGGRESSIVE
THE TUMOR.
STAGING THE DISEASE
CLINICAL VERSUS PATHOLOGIC
STAGING
 CLINICAL STAGING IS BASED UPON
THE PSA, THE AMOUNT AND
LOCATION OF DISEASE, THE
GLEASON SCORE AND OTHER TEST
RESULTS

If You Are Diagnosed With
Prostate Cancer
Take control
 Examine your choices
 Ask questions about treatments
 Talk to your family and friends
 Seek a second opinion

If You Are Diagnosed With
Prostate Cancer…
Become your own
advocate
Visit or join a support group!
Before Deciding on Treatment
Know Your Options
Ask your doctor about options, such
as surgery, RT, or Active
Surveillance (AS)
 Become a researcher

– Use the library
– Get on the Internet
– Contact your local Prostate Cancer support
group to speak personally with a survivor
IF DIAGNOSED WITH P Ca:
USE THE TEAM APPROACH AND
REMEMBER THAT ALL TESTING AND
TREATMENT CHOICES SHOULD BE A
JOINT DECISION BETWEEN YOUR
PHYSICIAN AND YOU!
Be Proactive
Remember, it’s your responsibility to
protect your health
 What treatment you select is your
choice
 Be sure you thoroughly understand
the consequences of the treatment
you elect to undergo

Remember, With an Annual
Prostate Checkup...
THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR
OWN!!!
YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF, AS WELL
AS YOUR FAMILY
MEREL GREY NISSENBERG,
310-525-3570
 www.prostatecalif.org
 www.naspcc.org