Prostate Cancer Education

Seminar

Brought to you by:

EAP Worklife-Wellness
Programs
 What is the Prostate?
A male sex gland

The size of a walnut below the

bladder and in front of the rectum

Produces the fluid that is

part of semen
Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Age – Found mainly in men over age 55.

Average age of diagnosis is 70

Family History – Men’s risk is higher if

father or brother is diagnosed before the age
of 60
Risk Factors continued
Race – Prostate cancer is found more often
in African American men then White men. It
is less common in Asian and American Indian
men
Dietary factors – Evidence suggests that
a diet high in fat may increase the risk of
prostate cancer and diets high in fruits and
vegetables decrease the risk
Risk for Developing
Prostate Cancer
Death Rates For
Prostate Cancer
 What Goes Wrong
Three main types of problems -- infection,
enlargement, and cancer -- can afflict the
prostate. Prostate infections, called
prostatitis, are fairly common in men from
the teen years on. These infections can be
brief or long-lasting, mild or severe, easy or
difficult to treat with antibiotics. Symptoms of
prostatitis can include frequent and/or
painful urination, other urinary difficulties, or
pain during sex
What Goes Wrong continued

Prostate enlargement, called benign prostatic

hyperplasia, or BPH for short, is an
unwanted but non-cancerous enlargement of
the prostate. Although men in their twenties
can suffer from BPH, it usually surfaces later
in life. It's estimated that half of all men have
BPH by the age of 60, and 90% will suffer
from it by age 85
What Goes Wrong continued
Prostate cancer: Cells normally divide when
new cells are needed. But sometimes cells
divide for no reason, creating a mass of tissue
called a tumor. Prostate cancer is a malignant
tumor that usually begins in the outer part of
the prostate. In most men, the cancer grows
very slowly.
Recommendations for Screening

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

blood test and the digital rectal exam
(DRE) should begin at the age of 50

African Americans and men who have

first degree relatives diagnosed before
the age of 60 should start at 45 years old
Screening for Prostate Cancer
Prostate-Specific Antigen Blood Test (PSA) –
Measures substance made by the prostate gland

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – Physical exam of the

Prostate Gland

Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) –

Uses sound waves to make an image
of the prostate on a video screen
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Frequent urination
Inability to urinate
Trouble starting and stopping urination
Blood in the urine or semen
Painful ejaculation
Painful or burning urination
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Confirmed only by an biopsy taken from part
of the prostate

Pathologists then grade the biopsy to give

likely hood of cancerous tissue

Then pathologists can tell what stage the

cancer is in, 4 stages in all
Procedures for Prostate Cancer

Radical Prostatectomy – Removal of

entire prostate gland and nerves

Radiation Therapy – High-energy rays to

kill or shrink cancer cells

Expectant Therapy – Regularly scheduled

screenings
 Procedures continued
Cryosurgery – freezes abnormal cells of the
prostate with a metal probe

Hormone Therapy – Decreases the

androgen (testosterone) levels in the body

Chemotherapy – Anticancer drugs injected

into a vein or taken by mouth
 Procedures continued
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate –
Partial removal of tissue from the prostate

Brachytherapy – confined dosage of radioactive

seeds inserted directly into the prostate while
minimizing healthy tissue damage
Side Effects of Treatments
Impotence – Could last for 3 months or
longer

Incontinence – Loss of bladder control or

dribbling

Bowel problems - Burning and rectal pain

and/or diarrhea
 What’s the Outlook
While the number of men diagnosed
with prostate cancer remains high,
survival rates are also improving.
Almost 89% of men diagnosed with the
disease will survive at least five years,
while 63% will survive 10 years or
longer. The increased number of
treatment options make this possible
 Test Results
PSA levels under 4vng/ml are considered
normal, Just to be safe, if your level is 3
ng/mlor higher, or the level increases from
one test to the other you should discuss the
results with your physician.

After a DRE your doctor will discuss the test

results with you. If they detect a suspicious
lump or area during the exam, an ultrasound
or biopsy may be recommended.
 Test Results continued
If any results come back abnormal, or you do
not understand them contact your health care
provider for further information.
 PSA Testing
IF you are covered under a Purdue
Insurance plan you can receive a FREE
PSA screening. Ask your doctor to write
a prescription for a PSA blood test, take
the Rx to any Arnett laboratory, the cost
is FREE and your results are sent to
your doctor.
 Our Gift to You

Continued educational programming

regarding detection and prevention

Additional resources
 Additional Resources
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov

Oncology Care International www.oncli.com

Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention www.cdc.gov