What is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive tract that makes seminal fluid, which mixes with sperm and other fluids. This gland surrounds the urethra, near its connection to the bladder.

What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Early prostate cancer may not cause symptoms. Some men, however, may have pain, difficulty urinating, and rarely problems with erections (erectile dysfunction).
Other symptoms include a weak or interrupted flow of urine, need to urinate often (especially at night), difficulty holding back urine, inability to urinate, pain or burning when urinating, blood in the urine or semen, and nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis

Types of Prostate Cancer

Localized prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is confined with the prostate
Hormone-sensitive (HS) prostate cancer: Prostate cancer that still responds to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone.
Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC): Prostate cancer that no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCPRC): Prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
Metastatic: The spread of cancer from the place where it first formed to another part of the body.
Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): Prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and still responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): Prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone

Risk Factors

A higher risk of developing prostate cancer may be related to age (especially older than 65), race (African American), and family history (father, brother).
Diet, obesity, smoking, inflammation of the prostate, sexually transmitted infections

Things to ask your doctor when detected with Prostate Cancer

What type of prostate cancer screening schedule do you recommend for me, based on my individual medical profile and family history?
Are there any changes I can make to my diet that can help lower my risk of prostate cancer?
What type of prostate cancer do I have, and how aggressive is it?
Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
What stage is my prostate cancer, and what does this mean?
What is the Gleason score of my prostate cancer? What does this mean?

Impact on daily life

Prostate cancer impacts the everyday lives of men who are affected by it. Living with prostate cancer can have an effect on their physical status, emotional health, and social life.
“Survivorship” amongst cancer has several meanings. It could be living with, through, or beyond cancer. Prostate cancer survivorship can begin at diagnosis and include males who continue to have treatment long-term or who have finished treatment completely.
Every prostate cancer patient has individual concerns and challenges they face daily.
To improve the effects of prostate cancer on everyday life, make positive lifestyle changes. Men recovering from prostate cancer are encouraged to follow certain guidelines for good health, such as; not smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, eating well, exercise, and managing stress. Regular physical activity can help regain your energy levels.

Read about our cancer therapy here.

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