As a woman, you might think that prostate cancer is not your concern because you don’t have a prostate. However, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, so it could affect your father, brothers, sons, friends, teammates, or colleagues. We know that prostate cancer is a man’s disease, but when a spouse is affected, it becomes a family matter.

That’s why we believe it’s important for women to become familiar with this curable disease. Here’s what you need to know:

It’s a silent and sneaky disease

Prostate cancer is especially silent in its early stages when it is confined to the prostate, a small sex gland that’s responsible for male fertility. At this point, the disease may present few or no symptoms. Age is the main risk factor, with the risk increasing after age 50.

Other risk factors

In addition to age, family history of cancer, skin color – black men, inherited genetic mutations are established risk factors. Poor diet (junk food) and other environmental factors could also contribute to the risk. Vasectomy, masturbation, inflammation or enlargement of the prostate don’t increase the risk of prostate cancer, while being overweight could increase the risk of a more advanced cancer at diagnosis.

Review your family history of cancer

Having family members (such as a father or a brother) affected by prostate cancer increases the risk of developing the disease by 2 to 6 times. Breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers within a family also increase the risk. It is therefore essential for your partner to consult and inform their doctor from the age of 40-45 about any family history in order to work on establishing a screening plan.

Can it be prevented?

Currently, there is no proven or approved method of preventing prostate cancer. However, a healthy lifestyle, such as exercise, good nutrition, and a healthy weight, will affect the onset of other cancers, chronic diseases (heart, diabetes, etc.), or urinary and sexual symptoms related to prostate diseases.

Are you concerned about your spouse’s symptoms, such as urinary problems?

Most of the time, prostate cancer is not the cause, as it develops without apparent symptoms. In most cases, these problems are instead related to an aging prostate that’s increasing in size. Consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Does a high PSA level always indicate prostate cancer?

No. It’s important to remember that PSA is specific to the prostate, but not to prostate cancer; its level may increase in the absence of cancer for various reasons such as age, ethnic origin, an enlarged prostate (BPH), inflammation or infection of the prostate, or a urinary tract infection. Most of the time, the level returns to normal when the problem is treated, so don’t jump to conclusions too quickly.

Diagnosis and treatment

Get informed

The best remedy for anxiety about such a diagnosis is information. The more you know about the disease, treatment options, and side effects, the easier it will be for you to understand your partner’s or affected person’s treatment choice. Know that prostate cancer can be classified by its risk of progression or recurrence. For example, the urologist may propose active surveillance if the risk of progression is low. However, make sure to take the time to gather information.

Surgery or radiation therapy?

When cancer is confined to the prostate, treatment options can become a puzzle. Is your man not a candidate for active surveillance? In general, radical surgery or radiation therapy is sufficient when the tumor does not spill over the prostate. These two treatments are highly effective with a similar cure rate 5 to 10 years after treatment. Several studies show that after one year, quality of life is comparable for both treatments (taking into account side effects and complications).

Age, an important factor in treatment choice

In the case of relatively young men (50-60 years old), doctors generally recommend quick and aggressive intervention to get rid of the cancer as quickly as possible and prevent it from progressing over the years. Radical surgery allows for a turn to radiation therapy in the event of a recurrence (salvage treatment), which radiation therapy allows little. As the risk of local recurrence is higher in younger patients (due to longer follow-up), this is a disadvantage of radiation therapy that needs to be considered.

Understanding the side effects of treatment

Treating localized prostate cancer can have consequences on urinary, erectile, or bowel function. These side effects are explained by the proximity of the erectile nerves, bladder, and rectum. They vary from person to person depending on the degree of the disease, age, and health status. The good news is that many strategies can help manage them. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor.

He will have to invest time and effort in his recovery

Regardless of the treatment chosen, he will need to get involved and work with his urologist, radiation oncologist, nutritionist, or physiotherapist to recover his continence, erections, manage his urinary or bowel problems. All of this requires patience, perseverance, and resilience. In other words, to participate in a marathon, you have to jog and train.

And know that you are not alone. We are here for you at 1 855 899-2873.

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Take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease, our expert lectures and webinars, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved in advancing the cause.

You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. You can chat with us or contact us at 1-855-899-2873 to discuss with one of our nurses specialized in uro-oncology. They are there to listen, support and answer your questions, as well as those of your family or loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.

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Webinar to review
Caregiver: Surrounding Yourself To Help

Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2023