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Symptoms, risk and screening
Are you over 50 years old, or have you been having urinary problems for some time now? This video is for you! Several diseases can affect your prostate, and it’s important to detect them early. Let’s take a closer look.

Am I at risk?

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer for men in Quebec. On average, 19 Quebecers receive a prostate cancer diagnosis every day.

Those who are most at risk are older men, men who have relatives who have had prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, and Black men. If you are concerned about your risk, or if you have symptoms, consult with your doctor or contact one of our healthcare professionals at 1-855-899-2873. They can address your concerns and inform you about screening and the tests that are used to diagnose prostate cancer.

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is one that increases the likelihood of developing prostate cancer. Most cancers can be attributed to various risk factors, but sometimes prostate cancer develops in men who don’t have any of the risk factors listed below.

You may be asking yourself questions about alcohol consumption, prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate) or frequency of sexual activity and ejaculations. Considerable research has shown that there is no relation between these factors and prostate cancer. More and more studies are proving that ejaculation can help to prevent prostate cancer.

As for vasectomy, some studies have suggested a link between vasectomies and the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in the future. Several other studies have shown the opposite. This is probably caused by an association between vasectomy, urological monitoring, and more frequent cancer screening. To date, there is no tangible evidence that there is a relationship between the two.

Key factors

Recognized risk factors

Age 

Prostate cancer is associated with aging. It generally affects men over the age of 50, increasing in prevalence (number of cases) with age. It is very rare in men under 50 (less than 1% of all cases). When it does occur in this age group, it is usually due to genetic factors.

Family history

Men with a family history of prostate cancer run a higher risk of developing the disease and are more likely to do so at a younger age. It is shown that only about 15% of cases of prostate cancer are related to a hereditary or “familial” disposition.

• If your father or your brother has had prostate cancer, you are two or three times more likely to develop it yourself. When two relatives or more have had this illness (your father and an uncle, both of your grandfathers, three cousins, and so on), your risk is even greater. This holds true for relatives from your mother’s or your father’s side.
• The risks go up even more if prostate cancer has been diagnosed in men in your family at a young age (<60).
• Studies show that you are more at risk of developing prostate cancer if there are cases of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in your family.
• Furthermore, if you have a familial or hereditary cancer, you should not assume that your case will be the same as an affected family member. Every cancer and its development are different.

If you have relatives who have had prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, and you are concerned about your risk, talk to your doctor or contact one of our healthcare professionals. While the risk of developing prostate cancer may be greater, that does not mean that you will develop it.

Ethnic origin

The risk of developing prostate cancer seems to vary from population to population.

• The number of prostate cancer cases diagnosed each year varies enormously from one country to another. For example, It is higher in North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.
• Asian men have the lowest rate of prostate cancer, while Black men are more at risk. Black men are more likely to receive a diagnosis at a younger age compared to White men. The tumor tends to be more aggressive and diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
• While scientists do not yet understand why this is, the geographical variability may be associated with differences in the rate of screening and lifestyle, including nutrition.

Possible risk factors

The following factors have been linked to prostate cancer, but there is not enough evidence to say they are risk factors. More research is needed to clarify the role of these factors in the development of prostate cancer.

Smoking

Researchers have contradictory findings about whether a greater risk of prostate cancer is associated with tobacco use. More studies will be necessary to better understand the potential link between smoking and the risk of prostate cancer.

Occupational exposure

Scientific evidence suggests that occupational exposure to chemical or toxic substances – in the case of firefighters – or pesticides – in the case of farmers – could increase the risk of prostate cancer. This risk may be even greater for men who have a family history of prostate cancer.

Genes and heredity

Genetic Mutation: What can I do if I’m at risk?

Hereditary prostate cancer refers to forms of cancer that appear to run in some families, that are secondary to known or unknown genetic abnormalities that are passed on from generation to generation. Genes are instructions that appear in every cell in your body. They determine how cells grow and develop.

It is estimated that a family is at risk of hereditary prostate cancer if the following factors are present:

• at least three immediate family members (ex. father, brothers) have received a prostate cancer diagnosis;
• prostate cancer has been diagnosed in three generations on one side of the family (either the mother’s or the father’s);
• two family members have received a prostate cancer diagnosis before the age of 60.

Discover our animated video!

Genetics and prostate cancer
Gentlemen, do you have a significant history of breast, ovarian, pancreatic or prostate cancer in your family? If so, your doctor may recommend a genetic screening. If you carry a specific genetic mutation, you may respond well to a new targeted therapy. Let’s take a closer look.

Genetic risks

Could my family be affected by a form of hereditary cancer without any of these factors present?

Yes. In some families who don’t have any of the corresponding factors listed above, cancer is still common. For example, in some cases, there is a family history of prostate cancer along with other types of cancer, such as breast or ovarian cancer, which are sometimes associated with other types of hereditary cancers. Geneticists who work in oncology clinics can determine your family’s probability of being affected by a hereditary form of cancer.

What can I do if my family is affected by a form of hereditary prostate cancer?

We should emphasize that if your family is affected by a form of hereditary prostate cancer, this does not mean that you yourself will have the same kind of cancer. It only means that you have a higher probability of being affected by prostate cancer compared to men in general. Since every family is different, it is important to have a genetic assessment of your family background to determine your risk of developing prostate cancer.

If the assessment indicates that you have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, you can talk with your doctor to find out what steps to take to monitor your risk. The doctor may:

• proceed with a rectal exam;
• proceed with a blood test to detect the prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

In families affected by hereditary prostate cancer, some men will benefit from taking measures to monitor for prostate cancer at a younger age, in order to be diagnosed and to have cancer treatment earlier. You can also talk with your doctor about how diet can play a role in the occurrence and prevention of cancer.

If my family is affected by hereditary prostate cancer, is there genetic testing?

Genetic testing encompasses the analysis of individual gene modifications associated with hereditary cancers. To date, several genes have been identified and linked to prostate cancer. When it is suspected that the type of cancer is inherited or when there is an onset of metastatic (generalized) cancer at a young age, it is possible to have the patient as well as members of the family undergo a genetic screening. These tests are usually done in specialized genetic clinics.

Summary

Generally, studies tend to show that genetic and environmental factors could play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. They could also allow men who have an above-average risk of developing prostate cancer to be detected.

If you are worried about some of these risk factors and their effect on your health status, talk with your family doctor. You can also consider beginning prostate cancer monitoring and setting a date for starting tests.