Both my father and my uncle (his brother) were diagnosed with prostate cancer and eventually died because of this disease. As far as I know, they never discussed the problem with each other and I would go so far as to say that they initially made efforts to hide the problem from each other. It is my experience that this would rarely happen if two sisters had cancer or some other health problem. They would be sharing the details on how they were diagnosed, comparing notes on care and providing good or bad advice on addressing problems or concerns related to the situation. This observation may sound trivial, but it is at the heart of the problem related to prostate cancer. In general, men don’t talk about their health problems; they are late in seeking help and rarely seek out support. This is especially true when it is something as sensitive as an illness affecting the sexual organs.
Regular screening for prostate cancer is very important. Early detection will impact care and potential outcomes. Most men know what screening involves, which is why they are so squeamish. It involves a digital rectal exam and a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). While I am sensitive to the discomfort with the rectal examination, it really is no worse than women experience when they have their gynecological exams. The bottom line is that the benefits of screening greatly outweigh any fear and discomfort you may experience during the examination. If you have abnormal results, other tests will then be recommended.
Treatment if you have prostate cancer will vary and depends on a variety of factors. You have many options for care especially if detected early. These options may include active surveillance, what we call watchful waiting; surgery; radiation therapy; hormone therapy; chemotherapy or some combination. My own father lived for many years following his diagnosis with a treatment combination, excluding surgery and radiation that he was fairly comfortable with.
Some factors may put men at increased risk for prostate cancer. Among the most important of these risk factors are age (over 65 years), family history and race. The prostate cancer rate among African American men is higher than Caucasian men and the death rate is twice as high. So, you can understand the importance of annual screening after age 40, especially for Black men.
If you get nothing else from this article, at least understand the importance of screening. I want to encourage healthcare folks to be forceful in making recommendations for prostate cancer screening, and I encourage family members to assist in follow-through with the doctor’s recommendation. I am not advocating that we start nagging the men in our lives, but sometimes our men need some additional “prodding”. Do it with love and sensitivity.
