Prostate Cancer
Overview
Prostate cancer is a malignant growth in the prostate gland and is one of the most common cancers affecting men. It's often slow-growing, and many cases are detected through PSA screening before any symptoms appear.
Symptoms
Causes
The exact cause isn't fully understood, but age, family history, and certain inherited genetic mutations all play a role in individual risk.
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a PSA blood test, a digital rectal exam, and a prostate biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, followed by imaging for staging when needed.
Complications If Untreated
Untreated cancer can spread beyond the prostate; treatment decisions also require upfront counseling about potential side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Treatment Options
Prevention Tips
There's no guaranteed prevention, but routine PSA screening from around age 50 — or earlier with a family history — supports early detection when treatment is most effective.
Lifestyle Advice
Discuss a personalized PSA screening schedule with a urologist starting around age 50, or earlier if you have a family history.