By Fernando Kim, M.D., Chief, Denver Health’s Department of Urology

Editors Note: Denver Health’s Department of Urology will provide free prostate screenings Friday, Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Interested parties can call 303-436-4070 to schedule an appointment. 

All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. In fact, every man has about a one in 10 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.  The American Cancer Society estimates that this year alone, about 218,890 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and 27,050 men will die from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that usually begins in the outer part of the prostate. In most men, the cancer grows very slowly. In fact, many men with the disease will never know they have it as symptoms are virtually undetectable in the early stages of the disease.  Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself, and the majority of patients with this type of cancer can live for years with no problems.

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it is more common in African-American men, and men with a family history of the disease.  However, the greatest risk factor for prostate cancer is age. More than 75 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65.  Research suggests high-fat diets; high levels of the male hormone androgen; sedentary lifestyle; and smoking may be contributing factors.  Most physicians recommend annual digital rectal exams and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for all men beginning at age 50. African-American men should begin at age 40.

As undetected prostate cancer progresses, some symptoms may appear including a need to urinate frequently, especially at night; difficulty or inability to urinate; weak or interrupted urine flow; painful or burning urination; painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; and frequent pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs.

While the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer remains high, survival rates are also improving. Eighty-nine percent of the men diagnosed with the disease will survive at least five years, and 63 percent will survive 10 years or longer.

Prostate cancer patients have several treatment and management options including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone treatment to reduce tumor size, or surveillance and watchful waiting, which is recommended for some patients, particularly those who are older or who suffer from other life-threatening conditions. In these cases, the cancer may be growing so slowly that it is not likely to be fatal.

Even though prostate cancer is a slow growing disease, early detection is the key to surviving. Denver Health is a leader in performing minimally invasive surgery for prostate cancer and effectively treating the cancer with rapid recovery.

For more information, call Denver Health’s Urology Department at 303-436-6120.

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