How common is prostate cancer? Apparently it is the third most common cancer in men in Singapore. Here, two doctors answer our questions on prostate cancer symptoms, screening methods such as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, risk factors and prostate cancer treatment options.
#1 What is a prostate?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s part of the male reproductive system that produces secretions to protect sperm, explains DR LEE JANG FANN, Senior Consultant and urologist at StarMed Specialist Centre.
Prostate cancer, he says, occurs when cells grow abnormally in the prostate. Most incidences of this type of cancer occur after the age of 50; the average age of men diagnosed with prostate cancer is 66. However, it’s important that all men are aware of the risk factors and warning signs, no matter their age. A healthy lifestyle with lower meat consumption can go a long way in helping to lower the risk.
#2 How common is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, explains DR PENNY LEE of International Medical Clinic (IMC) Camden. It primarily affects men who are over 50 and impacts approximately one in seven or eight men.
#3 What are the risk factors and tell-tale signs?
Risk factors for prostate cancer include not only age but also family history and diet. Symptoms may include having difficulty urinating, seeing blood in your semen, experiencing pelvic discomfort or bone pain, or even having issues with erectile function. However, Dr Penny emphasises that some patients remain asymptomatic, and not all symptoms lead to a cancer diagnosis.
#4 How does a prostate cancer screening work?
Screening for prostate cancer involves a thorough discussion of symptoms with your doctor, followed by a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). However, abnormal results from these tests do not always signify prostate cancer, explains Dr Penny. Some prostate cancers are slow growing and may not significantly impact overall health. Meanwhile, others are more aggressive and require early prostate cancer treatment.
#5 Is routine screening necessary?
Guidelines for screening differ from country to country, with some recommending against routine screening while others suggest it for men aged between 50 and 69. Dr Penny stresses the importance of having personalised discussions with your doctor to ensure informed decision-making. Furthermore, stress stemming from the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, diagnosis and treatment can affect patients, even if the outcome is not cancer related.
What’s more, Dr Penny reiterates the importance of recognising that individual circumstances may vary. That’s why she believes that discussing your concerns, risk factors and symptoms with your doctor to make informed and personalised decisions about screening is key.
#6 What are the options for prostate cancer treatment?
In some cases, because prostate cancer can take many years to progress, doctors may choose to simply monitor the tumour rather than treat it immediately. This is because treatment depends on factors including the stage of the cancer, symptoms, age and the general health of the patient.
If the cancer is confined to the prostate, Dr Jang Fann says that both radiotherapy and the surgical removal of the prostate and surrounding structures are good treatment options with comparable cure rates. He says hormone therapy is often used as an adjunct in locally advanced cancer, too. And, if the cancer has spread to other organs, hormone therapy and chemotherapy are plausible treatment options.
Of course, every case is distinct, and treatment options must be customised to the individual. All screening and treatment options should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
International Medical Clinic (IMC) Camden
#14-05/06/07, Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Blvd
6733 4440 | imc-healthcare.com (online booking) | camden@imc-healthcare.com
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