Nathan Kelleher – Community Development Worker
September marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the second most common cancer in Ireland behind skin cancer (Irish Cancer Society).
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland that lies under the bladder. It helps produce semen and helps connect the urethra to the shaft.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow abnormally, forming a tumour. These cells can spread to other parts of the body, such as to the bones.
Risk Factors
There are certain indicators that increase the likelihood of prostate cancer diagnosis.
- Age: Prostate cancer is most common in people over the age of 50 as the possibility of being diagnosed increases with age. Nearly two thirds of prostate cancer diagnoses impact those 65 and older.
- Genetics: Having a parent or sibling diagnosed with the disease increases an individual’s risk of developing it themselves. A relative being diagnosed at a younger age or having more than one relative diagnosed are also indicators of increased risk.
- Race: Black people are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
(HSE, 2023)
Symptoms
According to the HSE, some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- You are peeing more often than usual.
- Sleep is being interrupted by the need to pee.
- You’re having difficulty peeing.
- You have a weaker urine flow than usual.
- You don’t feel you have emptied your bladder after peeing.
- You need to strain to empty your bladder.
Most people with these symptoms will not be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but if you are noticing any of these issues persisting it wouldn’t be a bad idea to discuss it with your doctor.
There are some more serious symptoms that the HSE urge people to discuss with their doctors without delay. These include:
- Blood in urine or semen.
- Unexplained back pain or bone pain.
- Unexplained significant weight loss.
- You’re feeling tired all the time when you would not usually.
Getting Checked Up
If you are experiencing symptoms or fall into a group with an increased risk of diagnosis, it might be a good idea to go for a check up. There are two ways prostate cancer is assessed, through a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and through a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).
PSA is a protein made by the prostate and measured by the PSA blood test. Heightened levels PSA levels may indicate an issue with the prostate. This would not confirm prostate cancer alone, but a doctor may suggest further investigating if heightened levels are found.
Tip: PSA levels can be heightened by anal penetration and by ejaculation. It is suggested to avoid penetration for a week before the blood test and any sexual activity in the 48 hours before the test.
A Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) can involve a doctor examining the rectum with a gloved finger. The doctor can then feel for any lumps on the prostate gland or if the gland is enlarged.
Final Thoughts
While it may be one of the most common cancers, as with anything being aware of symptoms and practicing healthy diet and exercise habits are the best way to protect yourself from prostate cancer. If concerned about your prostate, contact your GP to discuss options.