Top 10 Things Women Should Know About Prostate Cancer
By: Theresa Morrow, Co-Founder, Women Against Prostate Cancer
Women Against Prostate Cancer, a prostate cancer support group geared towards helping women and families affected by prostate cancer, wants to make sure every woman knows the facts about the disease. Below are the top 10 things women should know:
- What is a prostate? The prostate is a walnut-sized male gland that contributes to the fluid that carries sperm. It is located just below the bladder.
- What is prostate cancer? Prostate cancer occurs when a group of cells begins growing abnormally out of control in the prostate and invades healthy tissue. The cancer cells may also spread from the prostate to other parts of the body.
- Who does it affect? Prostate cancer does not only affect men; the disease can have a devastating effect on entire families, especially wives and partners.
- Who is at risk? According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, for African American men the rate is closer to 1 in 4. Nearly 190,000 American men will be diagnosed this year, ultimately leading to 27,000 deaths.
- What are the risk factors? While the exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown there are dynamics that can increase a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer including:
- What are the signs & symptoms? Early stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. Therefore, in addition to regular checkups, a man should see a health care provider if he experiences persistent hip or back pain, has difficulty urinating, feels pain and/or a burning sensation during urination, or has blood in his urine.
- How is it caught early? The most common early detection methods include a digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Abnormalities may indicate the need for further testing. WAPC recommends that at age 40 (35 for high risk men) men receive a baseline PSA and digital rectal exam, and speak with their physician about annual screening thereafter.
- What are common treatment options? Depending on the individual, there are several possible treatment options, each with a different side effect profile. The most common treatments include prostatectomy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and active surveillance, among others.
- What can women do to help?
*Gently remind him to get a prostate screening. If that doesn’t work, pick up the phone and make an appointment. Early detection leads to the greatest outcomes and an improved quality of life.
*Stand by your man. If your husband or partner is diagnosed, show support by attending doctor’s appointments or support group meetings with him.
*Research. As mentioned above, when it comes to treatment options the choices are numerous. Learn all you can about each treatment, its side effect profile and expected outcomes, and share what you learn with your partner.
*Seek support. Connect with other women who are facing the same challenge. Join a local WAPC chapter for support, and to continue the fight against prostate cancer. - What is the survival rate? While there is much work to be done to end this disease, there is hope. If detected early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. To that end, according to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%.
*Age: A man’s chance of developing prostate cancer increases quickly after age 50.
*Family History: Those with a father, brother, uncle or other male relative who have had prostate cancer are at increased risk.
*Race: African American males are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer, as they are up to twice as likely to develop and die from the disease.
Related posts:
- Women Against Prostate Cancer Support Group Launches Updated Website
- Much Needed Hearing in House Oversight Committee to Address Prostate Cancer Screening, Treatment, and Impact of Disease
- Women Share Their Stories of Hope, Love & Loss with Prostate Cancer
- A Joint Statement from America’s Prostate Cancer Advocacy, Education, and Support Organizations
You answer some very good questions in your excellent article. My husband recently picked up a book called To Pee Or Not To Pee… by James R. Norris. It’s all about prostate health and information you should know about prostate cancer and other issues. It also addresses many of these question in a very straight forward/blunt approach. http://www.prostateandcancer.com/
I think its great to see you advocating for prostate cancer treatment for men. The passion expressed by some of the men here is not unusual. There are two websites one by a Dr. Sherman the other by Dr. M. Bernstien. while some express their frustration a little more agressive than I would prefer,esp at first blush I understand. Men feel disconnected from the healthcare system. While over 50% of med students are female, less than 10% of nurses and tech students are male. In my home town of Indy there are numerous billboard by a very renowned and great hospital, St Vincents that advertises a toll free mumber for health information for HER. If we go for care the most likley scenerio is we will be checked in by a female, lead back by a female, preped by a female nurse, if we need a proceedure or imaging the odds are female. Most advertising from recruiting nurses to ads for hospitals are directed to females, Is it any wonder men seek health care less often and later than females, and we pay the price of shorter life spans. Tell you men its OK for them to ask for accomodation that makes them comfortable, and that includes the gender of the provider. We have been condictioned that to complain is weak, we have the choice to suck it up and get through it or avoid it altogether, unfortunately to many of us choose the later until its to late. embaressed to death is a saying that is applicable to this situation. Thanks for caring