Prostate Cancer

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Prostate cancer is a life-threatening tumor that develops from cells of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized sex gland found in men just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Most prostate cancers grow very slowly, but some can spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Aside from skin cancer, it is the most common cancer among American men.

Most cases are diagnosed in men over 65, and it's more common among African-Americans. A diet high in fat increases the risk, and recent research shows that a diet high in calcium and low in fructose (fruit sugar) also may increase the risk. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles a man's risk. And while some studies have shown that vasectomies may slightly increase the risk, newer studies do not support that link.

Slowing or weakening of the urinary stream, the need to urinate more often, blood in the urine, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, impotence and pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, or ribs are among the symptoms of prostate cancer.

If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate, the five-year survival rate is close to 100 percent, whether or not the cancer is even treated. That means that for some men the "treatment" of choice is simply watching and waiting, especially for those who are older or those with other medical problems.

For others, the most common treatment option is surgery:

1. Radical prostatectomy - removal of the entire prostate gland, plus some tissue around it. Generally used when the cancer hasn't spread beyond the prostate gland.

2. Transurethral resection of the prostate - removal of part of the prostate gland. This surgery is generally used only to ease symptoms of urinary retention in advanced stages of the disease, not to cure the cancer.

Other strategies are continually being refined and developed. Cryosurgery, for instance, is used to treat localized cancer by freezing the tumor cells. A new form of treatment known as "external beam radiation therapy," which helps aim the radiation more accurately, is improving the effectiveness of radiation therapy. In some cases, radioactive pellets can be implanted in the cancer to help destroy it. And different types of hormone therapy to reduce the level of male hormones can help shrink or slow the growth of tumors. Chemotherapy is typically used on patients when the cancer has spread outside the prostate gland and hormone therapy has failed.

For men who experience side effects with treatment, such as incontinence and impotence, there are many solutions available, including medications, additional surgery, prosthetic devices and even Viagra.

• Screen for prostate cancer early and regularly. Two key ways to screen are with the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test and a digital rectal exam. Both should be done annually beginning at age 50, or earlier for men who are at high risk.
• Eat a diet low in saturated fat, including plenty of vegetables, fruits and grains.
• New data show that lycopenes, antioxidants found in high levels in fruits and vegetables, including tomato products, grapefruit and watermelon, decrease the risk of getting prostate cancer.
• Consider taking a supplement of the mineral selenium or vitamin E.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.