A taboo subject wouldn’t you say? Especially since there are many questions that men ask themselves about prostate cancer without talking openly about this disease of course. Even swept under the rug, the following questions below remain important, don’t you think?!

What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Current knowledge about prostate cancer is still incomplete, particularly with regard to its risk factors. Age, family history, and racial background (black men) are the most important risk factors. Diet and other environmental factors may also contribute.

Is prostate cancer hereditary?

Men who have cases of prostate cancer in their family are at higher risk than others and, in general, men are at risk of developing prostate cancer slightly earlier in life. Men whose father or brother has had prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop it. If two close relatives have been affected (for example, the father and one or two brothers), the risk is even higher. A familial or hereditary predisposition has been found to occur in about 15% of prostate cancer cases. It is likely that both genetics and the environment play a role in the development of this cancer.

Can prostate cancer be prevented?

It is possible that changes in dietary intake, associated with the consumption of certain micronutrients, may have an impact on prostate cancer. But at this time, there is no evidence or approval for prostate cancer prevention.

What are the symptoms?

Most prostate cancers develop without apparent symptoms and many men can live with the disease unsuspectingly until it is detected by a doctor. It’s a fact that 80% of prostate cancers are discovered incidentally during a routine examination. Men with prostate cancer feel perfectly fine regardless of the stage of the disease.

What is the difference between benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by a benign increase in prostate size. It’s not clear why the prostate increases in size to the point where it eventually impedes the passage of urine, but it is considered a normal consequence of aging. Unlike prostate cancer, the cells that grow and multiply are perfectly normal and there is no risk that they will spread to other parts of the body. Benign enlargement of the prostate does not require treatment unless the symptoms are bothersome.

Does high PSA always indicate prostate cancer?

No. It is important to remember that PSA is specific to the prostate, not to prostate cancer, and may increase in the absence of cancer for a variety of reasons: age, race, benign enlargement or inflammation of the prostate, or a urinary tract infection. Most of the time, the rate returns to normal when the problem can be treated. So don’t jump to conclusions.

Can prostate cancer go away on its own?

No, but in many cases, prostate cancer progresses slowly and may not cause symptoms, spread or be life-threatening for a long period of time. In older men (usually over 70 years of age), it is common for a slowly progressing cancer to never cause any problems and the patient may die from something else. When there is evidence that cancer will progress slowly, the doctor may prefer to wait for a possible manifestation of the disease before starting treatment.

Can prostate cancer be cured?

Yes, if the cancer is discovered early enough, if it remains confined to the prostate and if it is treated in a timely manner, it can usually be cured.

Discover our new animated videos
Discover three new animated videos, each equally unique and original from one to the other. Be on the lookout!
Here is the first one – Symptoms, Risk and Screening

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 with our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Above all, do not hesitate. Contact us at 1 855 899-2873 to discuss with a nurse specializing in uro-oncology. It’s simple and free, like all our services.

Our September 2020 awareness campaign
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
In September, PROCURE demystifies the prostate!

Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
Recognize the signs and symptoms
Prostate-related diseases

PROCURE news that may interest you
Each week, we publish a blog article. Here are a few for you.
Prostate Cancer: Did You Say Zero Symptoms?
Top 5 Men’s Health Risks
I have a little prostate pain. Is it cancer?

Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2020