Bryan Betty: The problem of prostate cancer

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Why is prostate cancer a problem?

- It occurs in the prostate, a gland that sits below the bladder and produces fluid for semen.

- It’s the second highest cause of cancer death in men. 4000 are diagnosed a year, and 700 men die a year.

- Over time the number of people being diagnosed, and death rate is dropping due to increased testing.

- If you are diagnosed: 90% of men are alive after 5 years, and 90% alive after 10 years due to early treatment, and sometimes the cancer is slow growing.

Are there symptoms that can indicate prostate cancer?

Things to look out for:

- A need to urinate urgently, difficulty with getting started and weak urine stream, dribbling after finish, blood in the urine.

- However, these can be due to other ‘benign’ prostate problems:

- BPH – Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: the prostate getting larger with age, but it’s not cancerous

- Prostatitis: an infection of the prostate

If you notice any of these symptoms you need to talk to your GP.

Should we be doing anything to check for prostate cancer?

- Yes. From the age of 50 years, talk to your doctor about a two-yearly prostate check.

- If you have a family history —father, brother— then you may need to start earlier at 40 years.

- The check is very simple: a blood test called a PSA and quick rectal examination to feel for the size of the prostate.

If a problem is detected what are the treatments?

- If the blood test indicates a possible problem, then more tests are done: further bloods, possible MRI scan, a biopsy of the prostate to look for cancer.

- If cancer is detected there are four main approaches:

- Watch and wait: because the cancer is early and is considered low risk, slow growing, and may not cause a problem.

- Radiotherapy to destroy the cancer.

- Prostatectomy: where an operation is preformed to remove the prostate.

- Hormone injections that shrink and control the cancer.

Like all cancers can be treated if found early: if you are 50, a man, visit your GP and discuss a prostate check!

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