1. It is the second leading cancer of men in the United States.

• First in the list is skin cancer.
• Western diet is mainly high consumption of processed red meat, high fat dairy products, sugary desserts and carbonated drinks.
• These are all known to have carcinogens.
• Diet plays a key role in developing the disease.

2. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men.

• First on the list is heart disease.
• Mortality rate of prostate cancer is continuously growing which post a significant challenge in the treatment of the disease.
• The cause of death from prostate cancer is not the disease itself but the extensive treatments which compromises the health of the patient.

3. It occurs more often in African-American men than white Americans.

• Followed by Hispanic and Native American men
• Asian American men have the lowest rate of developing prostate cancer
• Compare to other races, prostate cancer tends to develop at younger ages and grows rapidly.

4. African-Americans have  a higher chance to die from Prostate cancer than white men.

• West Africa is the ancestral origin of African-Americans.
• The Ghana study of Prostate aims to identify the factors and biomarkers of Ghanaian men in the incidence rate of prostate cancer among African-American men.
• Unfortunately, the outcome of the study remains unproven.

5. Prostate Cancers are mostly adenocarcinomas.

• Cancer cells that originates from an exocrine gland.
• Prostate is an exocrine type of gland of the male reproductive system that secretes essential products through a duct to supply it to other structure inside the body.

6. Prostate cancer shows no symptoms on early stage.

• Prostate cancer cells grow very slowly. There are no significant symptoms and noticeable signs in the early stage.

• Digital Rectal Exam

• A test used for men showing no symptoms (asymptomatic).
• Done by inserting a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to palpate the surrounding structure and feel for abnormalities.

• Prostate specific antigen test

• A prostate-specific antigen is a protein produce by prostate gland.
• The test aims to measure the prostatic specific antigen level in a man’s blood.
• Elevated level of prostate-specific antigen indicates an abnormal activity of the prostate gland

7. Prostate cancer runs in the genes.

Prostate cancer and any other types of cancer are inherited. A first degree relative (father and brother) if diagnosed with prostate cancer puts someone at high risk of developing the disease.

• It is important to know your family tree.
• Get to see your GP for consultation.
• Consider genetic counseling.

8. Most men with advance prostate cancer are only being diagnosed at a later stage (at their 60’s to 70’s) due to their presenting clinical symptoms.

• Good and proud stream of urine flow indicates healthy prostate.
• Urine flow can be affected by other tissue changes but are not cancerous in nature.

• Prostatitis can be acute (cause by bacterial infection) or chronic (recurrent urinary tract infection caused by prostate gland infection that extends to surrounding tissues such as the urinary bladder) inflammation of the prostate gland.

9. After five decades, the incidence of having prostate cancer rises rapidly.

• Prostate cancer is rare seen on men age 40. Thereafter, at the age of 50, the incidence may rise drastically.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – (also known as Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) is an increase in the number of normal cells but the size remains the same. This is non cancerous as the term “benign” imply.
• It is not linked to prostate cancer, however the presenting symptoms are the almost the same.
• As a man ages, the prostate gland grows slightly bigger.

• Prevent it, if you don’t want it.

Take action to lower the chance of acquiring the disease. Although, not all risk factors of developing cancers can be modified (like genetics), there are few protective factors that may lower your risk but not a total guarantee that you will not develop cancer.

• Smoking cessation. Smoking is the leading cause of most diseases that can be prevented. Nicotine, which is main component of cigarette, aside from the hundreds of chemicals found in it is a carcinogen. It triggers and promotes cancer cell growth.
• Eat healthy. Avoid foods that are known to cancer. Carcinogen rich foods are those processed foods. Go green. Leafy vegetables and fruits are the best.
• Stay active. Exercise prevents obesity, enhance balance of hormonal level and boost your immune system.

10. Early detection of prostate cancer may not improve health and guarantee you’ll live longer.

• Treatment and cure of any type of cancer still remains a challenge.
• Nevertheless, there are ways you can take to somehow address this problem.
• There are few screening test for prostate cancer for early detection of any abnormalities and malignancies such as undergoing digital rectal examination or having your prostatic specific antigen level checked.
• Visit your Doctor for professional medical advice.