Prostate Cancer Myths Debunked
More than 200,000 U.S. men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, yet many misconceptions continue to surround prostate cancer screening and treatment, Cleveland Clinic urologist Eric Klein, MD, dispels the most common myths.
Prostate Cancer Myths:
Myth No. 1: PSA tests are only valuable for older men.
Myth No. 2: A high PSA score always means prostate cancer.
Myth No. 3: Prostate cancer surgery will ruin your sex life and make you incontinent.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Men with Prostate Cancer have small tumours in the prostate. In the early stages, when the cancer cells are only in the prostate, 90% of the cases can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, during the early stages symptoms are very difficult to recognize. Without regular testing (PSA and DRE) it is very difficult to detect early stage Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and produce secondary tumours (metastases) if untreated. At this point the chances of successful treatment are much lower. Prostate Cancer, most commonly spreads to the bones and lymph nodes.
Men with Prostate Cancer have small tumours in the prostate. In the early stages, when the cancer cells are only in the prostate, 90% of the cases can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, during the early stages symptoms are very difficult to recognize. Without regular testing (PSA and DRE) it is very difficult to detect early stage Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body and produce secondary tumours (metastases) if untreated. At this point the chances of successful treatment are much lower. Prostate Cancer, most commonly spreads to the bones and lymph nodes.
Facts:
The most common cancer in Canadian Men – will afflict 1 in 7 during their lifetime. It is more common where there is a family history and it is being diagnosed more frequently in younger men. Research suggests that diet, environmental factors and genetics can impact Prostate Cancer occurence. It is estimated 25,500 Canadian men will be diagnosed this year, often without symptoms in its earliest, most treatable stage. In BC 3,400 will be diagnosed and 530 will die.
