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5 Signs Of Prostate Cancer You Shouldn't Ignore

One of the most prevalent malignancies in men, particularly as they age, is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can have a variety of symptoms, some of which are obvious, while others can be missed or mistaken for less serious conditions. It is essential to identify these subtle signs to receive early detection and efficient treatment.According to the Lancet Commission, the number of cases of prostate cancer is projected to triple and the number of deaths to grow by 85% between 2020 and 2040, making it a major global health concern.Early detection and treatment are important, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where most of this increase is projected to occur. The course of prostate cancer is slow over several years. Until the condition has gotten big enough to be detected, most men ignore the symptoms. Nonetheless, the probability of a successful course of treatment is increased by identifying the early signs of prostate cancer.

Having trouble urinating Having trouble urinating is one of the most common early indicators of prostate cancer. Weak urine flow, frequent urination (especially at night), or the feeling that the bladder isn't emptying are possible symptoms of this. These symptoms arise from the prostate's ability to press against the urethra when it is big or tumorous, restricting it and making urination difficult.

Blood in semen or urine According to Dr. Rahul Wagh, Consultant: Surgical Oncology, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, "Blood in the urine or semen (hematuria or hemospermia) can be concerning and shouldn't ever be ignored. While there are other probable causes for similar symptoms, prostate cancer is a possibility, so one should be checked out right away."

Pain or discomfort Prostate cancer can be indicated by chronic pain or discomfort in the thighs, lower back, or pelvic area. The malignancy can spread to bones or other tissues, causing this discomfort. Unfortunately, bone pain might not appear until the cancer grows beyond the prostate gland, so men need to be aware of other symptoms and get help if they have unexplained bone pain.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) The inability to obtain or sustain an erection strong enough for sexual activity is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). Along with being a symptom of underlying medical disorders like prostate cancer, ED can also be brought on by several other reasons, like stress, anxiety, or vascular problems. Problems with erectile function may arise from prostate cancer's impact on the nerves and blood vessels in the pelvic region. Men who get ED regularly should see their doctor to rule out any serious core reasons.

Weight loss and fatigue Sudden weight loss and persistent fatigue may indicate that cancer is being actively fought by the body. These symptoms could be an immediate manifestation of the malignancy, or they could be a systemic reaction to the disease. Such symptoms call for a careful medical checkup and should not be ignored.

Treatment options in the new era Treatment options for prostate cancer patients differ based on the disease's stage and severity. Prostatectomy and other similar surgical procedures entail the excision of the prostate gland and can be carried out with the use of robotic surgery or other minimally invasive methods. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation therapy are examples of non-surgical treatments. Active surveillance, which entails keeping a careful eye on the disease and only treating it if it advances, is often a possibility for early-stage cancer.By helping to identify the most appropriate course of treatment—immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation—based on a patient's genetic profile, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming the way that prostate cancer is treated. AI can help develop molecular treatments that target specific genetic alterations in the cancer cells of a given subgroup when the original treatment is insufficient for them. This allows for more individualised approaches to treatment.

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Improving Prostate Cancer Screening For Transgender Women

Transgender women are still at risk for prostate cancer. A new study led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators, published in JAMA concludes that current screening guidelines could miss early-stage prostate cancer in transgender women on hormone therapy.

The prostate, a small gland that helps make semen, also produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. Blood levels of PSA tend to be elevated in people who have prostate cancer, and the PSA test, which measures those levels, is a common prostate cancer screening tool.

"Many transgender women take estrogen as part of their gender-affirming care," said Stephen Freedland, MD, the Warschaw, Robertson, Law Families Chair in Prostate Cancer at Cedars-Sinai and senior author of the study. "This drastically lowers PSA levels, which could mean the threshold we are using as 'normal' is too high to detect early-stage cancer in these patients. We undertook this study to determine typical PSA values for this population so that we can screen them more appropriately."

According to current guidelines, PSA levels above 4.0 nanograms per milliliter of blood (ng/mL) suggest cancer could be present, and that additional investigation, such as a prostate biopsy, is needed.

"In the study, we used Veterans Health Administration records to identify 210 transgender women without known prostate cancer who were taking estrogen," said Farnoosh Nik-Ahd, MD, a urology resident at the University of California, San Francisco, and first author of the study. "We found that the median PSA value, the midpoint in the range of participants, was 0.02 ng/mL, which is fiftyfold lower than PSA values reported in similar-aged cisgender men."

This suggests that if they are taking estrogen, transgender women who develop prostate cancer wouldn't see their PSA rise to levels that trigger additional screening until their cancer was at a later stage, making it more difficult to treat. Nik-Ahd said that patients and clinicians should be aware of this and interpret results with caution.

"Cedars-Sinai Cancer serves one of the most diverse patient populations in the country," said Dan Theodorescu, MD, Ph.D., director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the PHASE ONE Foundation Distinguished Chair. "This work is part of our mission to conduct research that helps us understand the unique needs of our patients, then translate our findings into practices that improve patient outcomes."

Additional research is needed to pinpoint a specific PSA level that indicates a transgender woman taking estrogen is at high risk for developing prostate cancer. And Freedland, who is also a professor of Urology at Cedars-Sinai and staff physician at the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina, said this study is not a call for transgender women to be screened.

"We know that PSA screening reduces the risk that cisgender men ages 55 to 69 will die of prostate cancer, but we don't know that it does the same thing for transgender women taking estrogen," Freedland said. "However, because some of these women are being screened, we want to raise awareness that their typical PSA levels are different."

Along with increased awareness, Freedland hopes to eventually see updated PSA screening guidelines. In the meantime, he advises transgender women who are taking estrogen to consult with their health care providers.

"Don't forget that you have a prostate and that prostates can become cancerous," Freedland said. "The best way we know to find those cancers early and reduce the risk of death is a PSA test. And if you choose to do that, keep in mind that the test values are not calibrated for you. Bring your results—and possibly this study—to your urologist so that your results will be interpreted by someone who understands what to do with that information."

More information: Nik-Ahd et al. Prostate-Specific Antigen Values in Transgender Women on Estrogen, JAMA (2024). DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.9997, jamanetwork.Com/journals/jama/ … cle-abstract/2820386

Citation: Improving prostate cancer screening for transgender women (2024, June 26) retrieved 27 June 2024 from https://medicalxpress.Com/news/2024-06-prostate-cancer-screening-transgender-women.Html

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Protect Your Prostate Health With These 7 Lifestyle Changes, Reduce Cancer Risk

The prostate and seminal vesicles are key parts of the male reproductive system. The prostate, about the size of a walnut, sits below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Adjacent to it are two pairs of smaller glands called seminal vesicles. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the prostate gland. (However, not all abnormal growths are cancerous. Some may be non-cancerous)

Prostate cancer is influenced by various risk factors, including obesity, race, diet, age (typically over 50 years), and family history. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis among men and the second most common diagnosis overall, with an estimated 299,010 new cases expected.

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Prostate cancer, a condition affecting men globally, originates in the cells of the prostate gland, explains Dr Jaspreet S. Sandhu, MD, a Urologic Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York. "This gland plays a crucial role in producing seminal fluid to nourish and transport sperm." says Dr. Sandhu and highlights that abnormalities in the DNA of these cells can lead to abnormal tumor growth. "While some cases progress slowly and pose minimal threat, others can be highly aggressive, demanding immediate medical intervention. In India, prostate cancer ranks among the top ten most common cancers, predominantly affecting men over 65, with a 5-year survival rate of 64 percent," he adds.

Dr Sandhu suggests these proactive measures for prostate cancer prevention.

Reduce fat intake: Minimise consumption of trans fats and saturated fats. Instead, focus on healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts, seeds, and fish.

Eat more  fruits and vegetables: Introduce a diverse array of fruits and vegetables into your diet, particularly leafy greens. Tomatoes, rich in the antioxidant lycopene, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, containing sulforaphane, have shown promise in slowing prostate cancer cell growth.

Avoid charring meat: Steer clear of charred meat, as cooking methods such as frying or grilling at high temperatures may produce carcinogenic compounds.

Watch your weight: Obesity is linked to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, emphasising the importance of weight management to reduce cancer risk and promote good health.

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Physical activity is important: Exercise not only aids in keeping your weight in check but also reduces inflammation, boosts immune function, and counteracts the adverse effects of a sedentary lifestyle, all contributing to cancer prevention.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake: Stop smoking to decrease cancer risk and consume alcohol in moderation. While antioxidants found in red wine, such as resveratrol, may offer some protective effects against certain diseases, excessive alcohol consumption can outweigh these potential benefits and increase the risk of alcohol-related harm.

Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment.

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