Prostate cancer is a malignant cancer that starts in the glandular cells of the prostate.
The prostate is part of the male sex organ and is located around the urethra.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and occurs mainly in older age. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and initially has no symptoms.
However, later, when the tumour grows and starts to spread, you may experience the following symptoms:
frequent, difficult urination
weak or intermittent urine stream
a burning sensation when urinating
bloody urine or semen
pain in the back, hips or legs
Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed using a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and a digital rectal examination by a urologist. Treatment options include surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and surveillance.
It is important to remember that prostate cancer can be asymptomatic for many years, so it is important that men of the right age have their prostate checked regularly by a healthcare professional, even if they have no symptoms.
The exact cause of prostate cancer is not known, but there are a number of risk factors and associations with the development of the disease.
Below are some of the most important risk factors:
Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases with age. The disease usually occurs in men aged 50 or older.
Family history: men who have a father, brothers or other male family members with a history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease. If a first-degree relative (father, brother) has been previously diagnosed with prostate cancer, their own risk will be about double.
Genetic factors: changes in certain genes can also contribute to the development of prostate cancer.
Ethnicity: prostate cancer is more common in black men than in other ethnic groups. Asian and Latin American men are less likely to develop the disease.
Lifestyle: Unhealthy lifestyle, like many diseases, can contribute to prostate cancer. Obesity, an unhealthy diet, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of the disease.
