Prostate cancer: recognizing the symptoms and risk factors

Although prostate cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages because there are usually no symptoms, knowing what those symptoms are and the lifestyle factors that put you at increased risk of developing this disease are important to help ensure your future health.

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/Nikada]

According to recent statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men if you exclude non-melanoma skin cancers. What's more, it's the third leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada.

Generally speaking, prostate cancer is more common among older males. It usually starts its growth in the cells of the prostate gland, a male organ that is found directly below the urinary bladder. Thereafter, it tends to typically spread fairly slowly into the prostate and beyond.

It's difficult to discuss warning signs when it comes to prostate cancer for the simple reason that early prostate cancer very rarely has any symptoms, which is perhaps the trickiest aspect of diagnosing it early to prevent serious problems later on.

Prostate cancer in its later stages, however, shows itself in different ways and comes with an array of identifiable symptoms. One of the most common and noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer is associated with the act of urination:

• If you're experiencing problems urinating, a weak stream, pain or a higher level of frequency, you should contact a qualified medical professional without delay.

Other possible symptoms of prostate cancer to look out for include:

• Signs of blood mixed with the urine.
• Problems tied to impotence and difficulty in achieving an erection.
• A noticeable weakness and numbness in the legs and feet, as well as pain in the hips, back and rib cage. Although these symptoms may possibly point to a disease other than prostate cancer, they're sometimes associated with the later stages of the disease and shouldn't be ignored.

When it comes to any kind of cancer, risk factors can be defined as anything that affects your chances of developing the disease. In the case of prostate cancer, these risks cover a wide range of different factors. Among the prominent points of consideration are:

Age
Generally speaking, prostate cancer is usually very rare among young males.

• The risk is minimal for men under the age of 30 and considered rare for men between 30 and 40.
• The risk really increases after 50 and is most frequent among males over 65. This is probably the most evident risk factor.

Weight, diet and family history
Studies have shown that a considerable difference in prostate cancer cases exists between Western countries (namely in North America and Europe) and Eastern countries (East Asian countries like Japan, China, Korea and the Southeast), which is most likely tied to diet.

• Americans and Europeans typically enjoy a meat and dairy-rich diet, while consuming fewer vegetables and fruits. Asians consume much larger amounts of fish, white meat, beans, fruit and vegetables.
• In general, being overweight is a factor that increases the odds of developing prostate cancer, as does a family history of the disease.

Genetic ancestry
There is a clear difference between men from various parts of the world in terms of frequency of diagnosis and seriousness of diagnosis.

• According to the Canadian Cancer Society, men of Asian ancestry have lower rates of prostate cancer, while men of African ancestry have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
• In addition, men of African ancestry also tend to have more aggressive tumours that are diagnosed at an advanced stage for reasons that have not yet been determined.

Other potential risk factors
Keep in mind that these aren't the only factors that put a man at risk of prostate cancer.

• Occupational exposure to certain chemicals and pesticides have been linked to the disease, but further research is required.

Although the topic of prostate cancer may be uncomfortable to discuss, it's important to recognize the symptoms, understand the risk factors and have regular medical checkups. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to speak with your family physician right away.