Spotlight on prostate cancer The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis. The prostate is only found in men, is just in front of the rectum and forms part of the male reproductive system. The urethra runs through the middle of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, allowing urine to flow out of the body. In 2020:
16,700+ estimated new diagnoses in Australia
67%
of cases diagnosed in those over 65 years
3,150+ deaths in Australia each year
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer symptoms
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow more quickly and in an uncontrolled manner than in a normal prostate. Prostate cancer is generally a slow growing disease and a lot of men with low grade prostate cancer live without symptoms, without it spreading and becoming life-threatening for many years. However, high grade disease spreads rapidly and can be harmful. Appropriate management is very important.
Early prostate cancer usually does not display symptoms. Advanced prostate cancer symptoms can include: • Frequent urination, particularly at night;
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Australia and the fourth most common cause of cancer death. One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85. It is more common in older men, with 67 per cent of cases diagnosed in men over 65 years of age.
• Pain on urination; • Blood in the urine; • A weak urine stream; • Pain in the pelvis or back • Weak legs or feet More widespread disease often spreads to the bones and causes unexplained weight loss, fatigue and pain.
Causes of prostate cancer
In 2020, it is estimated that 16,741 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in Australia.
Your risk of prostate cancer can be increased by some of the factors below:
The five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with prostate cancer has increased over the years from 60 per cent to 95 per cent. Nearly all patients who present with localised disease will live beyond five years. Thanks to many advances in research and treatment, tremendous progress has been made.
• A ge, increasing greatly if you are aged over 50 years;
In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 3,152 deaths from prostate cancer in Australia.
• F amily history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, especially BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations; • A brother or father diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 60 years There is also an association with high testosterone levels.
A LITTLE BELOW THE BELT 19
