About 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. Men often have a long list of things to get done and in the process, neglect their health. However, it’s about time you paused and made prostate cancer screening on top of your to-do list. It is important to understand here that screening for prostate cancer doesn’t prevent against the disease. Rather, it offers improved treatment outcomes, if cancer has been detected.

What is prostate gland?

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is a gland which lies just below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and is responsible for making a fluid which is part of the semen. With advancing age, the prostate may enlarge and interfere with flow of urine from the bladder. Thus, prostate cancer most commonly affects older men.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In the initial stages, prostate cancer does not show many symptoms. Prostate cancers are
mostly detected at an early stage. Some early stage symptoms of prostate cancer include:

•  Blood in urine and semen
•  Frequent urination
•  Trouble urinating
•  Urge to urinate more often at nights

When prostate cancer spreads, it is called metastatic prostate cancer or stage 4 prostate
cancer. If this happens, the symptoms also differ. The signs and symptoms of advanced stage
prostate cancer are as follows:

•  Accidental leakage of urine
•  Erectile dysfunction/difficulty getting an erection
•  Back pain
•  Bone pain
•  Fatigue
•  Weight loss without trying
•  Weakness in the limbs (arms and legs)

Prostate Cancer Screening

Although there is no specific or standard screening test for detecting prostate cancer, it can be done using either a digital rectal exam or PSA test. Both these methods have been briefly described below:

1. Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): This involves an examination of the rectum. A gloved finger is inserted into the lower part of the rectum to feel for any lumps that may be present in the prostate area or even to detect an enlarged prostate.
2. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. It is produced by the prostate itself and is found in increased amounts in a man having prostate cancer. It is noteworthy to mention here that PSA antigen levels are increased in men who also suffer from an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland or a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Risk factors for Prostate Cancer

The biggest risk factor for developing prostate cancer is age. The older a man gets, the higher his chances of having prostate cancer. Another important risk factor is family history or genetics which impacts strongly for a man to develop prostate cancer. Other than this, race or ethnic background may also play a role in causing prostate cancer. Ideally, screening for prostate cancer should start at the age of 50 years. However, for men with a family background where a first-degree relative (father, son, or brother) suffers from prostate cancer, screening should begin as early as 40-45 years.

It is vital that men understand the importance of prostate cancer screening, irrespective of their age and risk factors. While timely screening can play an important role in early detection, men should be made aware of the potential benefits and limitations of prostate cancer screening. Discussing with your healthcare provider about your risk factors, age, and family history, will go a long way in helping make an informed decision. When it comes to one’s health, being proactive and well-informed is not a choice but a necessity. Ultimately, it will work towards supporting long-term outcomes for better prostate health.