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HealthHints Newsletter, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System

Men's Health:
Prostate Cancer Concerns

Volume 3, Number 8 - September, 1999

Editors: Carol A. Rice, Ph.D., RN, Professor and Extension Health Specialist, and Janet M. Pollard, MPH, Extension Associate-Health

Inside HealthHints....

Men's Health: Prostate Cancer Concerns

How many men do you know who have prostate cancer? Chances are, you know several. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among American men (skin cancer is the first). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer (American Cancer Society, 1999a). Prostate cancer affects about one in five men during the course of a lifetime (Drkoop, 1998b). It is most common in men aged 50 or older, but can also be diagnosed in younger men.

It is estimated that in 1999 in the United States nearly 179,300 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (National Cancer Institute 1999).

Increasing Early Detection

What can you do to improve the number of men in your county seeking early detection?

Real Men Get Screened Exhibit and Brochures

The exhibit "Real Men Get Screened" is located in every county office. This exhibit includes early detection information, reasons to have an annual screening and prostate cancer risk factors and warning signs. There are also two brochures, one is titled "It's Up to You! Getting the Man You Love to Have an Annual Exam" and the other is "Real Men Get Screened! Getting an Annual Prostate Exam." It is laminated and can be used with foam-core exhibit boards or felt-covered exhibit boards.

If Your County Identified Health Care Access Issues....

One way to deal with this need is to organize special screening initiatives...like one for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer screenings promote early detection resulting in decreased need for access to the most expensive treatment options and time spent seeking treatment.

Now You Know

(Article by Dr. Linda A. Jouridine, Extension Health Specialist)

Successful Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaigns for African-American and Hispanic Men

A local ad features George Foreman, a former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, in his fighting stance. The slogan beneath the photo reads "Real Men Get Checked." Beside this photograph is the announcement of FREE prostate cancer screenings during the month of September (a $70 value) in recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Which one of those messages do you think is more likely to get the attention of minority men? The one that says it's free, or the one that has the picture of Mr. Foreman? If you guessed the one with the picture, you are correct.

Free services are not necessarily going to get African-American or Hispanic men to rush out and get screened. For some minority groups there are still a tremendous amount of myths and folktales about what cancer is and what it isn't. Attitudes about cancer itself are an important first step in making a decision about getting tested. George Foreman is a tough competitor, a fierce opponent, and has had the respect of people from all over the world for his successes in a traditionally male sport. Having his endorsement of something like prostate screening may begin to break down barriers in men's minds about what it means to have an examination. Although we don't know the exact response of the George Foreman prostate screening campaign, there is information that tells us that who is delivering the message may be just as important as what they are saying. When Washington, DC Mayor Marion Barry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the early 1990's, he announced his condition and treatment options on the 6 o'clock news. The minority community had a tremendously positive response to this. A prominent African-American figure was actually on national television talking about, of all things, cancer. Hospitals and clinics reported an increase in the number of men who participated in cancer screening after Mayor Barry's announcement.

What does this all mean in terms of your communities? Well, it doesn't mean you have to find an African-American Texas celebrity or a Hispanic politician to talk about his own cancer screening. If any of those people do come out and promote prostate screening it will help in whatever you are doing locally. But at the level that you are getting the word out about early screening that may save lives, ask for assistance from African-American and Hispanic men who are recognized and respected for their leadership and their roles in the communities. Collaboration is a big part of this effort. With the facts in this newsletter and other materials that are available to agents, seek out the following list of sources that may provide support for a Prostate Screening Campaign in African-American and Hispanic Communities:

Also enlist the help of Women's groups and organizations that cater to young children and teens. Several research studies suggest that minority men and women respond well to campaigns that include the support of family members. Women might be asked to give their spouses, brothers, cousins, and/or nephews a coupon for a prostate screening, or agree to accompany them to their checkup. Campaigns that feature children asking their parents and grandparents to engage in behaviors that will increase their chances for long life so that they, the children, can enjoy them longer, have been very effective with the minority community also.

Seek support from national organizations that have local chapters for your Prostate Screening and Cancer Education Campaigns. For example, 100 Black Men, Inc., is a national organization that seeks to "improve the economic vitality of Black communities and promote healthier lives for African-Americans." In addition to anti-violence campaigns, educational symposiums and academic achievement, this organization has a health forum as a part of its mission. Chapters in Texas include Austin, Houston, and Lubbock. For more information contact their website at http://www.100blackmen.org/. Also check out the National Hispanic Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NHLIC). This national organization has funded many grassroots and community groups to provide education, training, and support for the Hispanic and Latino individuals that might not otherwise be reached. Contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society for web information for this organization.

Remember that after you get help with education and awareness, the population you serve may also need to overcome barriers and obstacles that come with a positive diagnosis. Be aware that issues such as transportation for treatment, educational level of patients, videos vs. written materials, informal and formal support networks, language and finances are all apart of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prepare in advance for these challenges by making sure that the channels that you use that are successful in your educational campaign will also be a resource for issues that are related to treatment.

Beginning November 1, 1999, Now You Know by Dr. Linda A. Jouridine, will be a monthly column dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles for minority community members and the limited resource populations that we serve through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. If you would like to share any success stories that your region has experienced working with minority populations, we'd like to share your stories with other agents.

The Prostate

The prostate is a male sex gland. This gland is a small organ, located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, the tube responsible for emptying urine from the bladder.

The prostate needs male hormones, primarily testosterone produced by the testicles, to function. It is part of the male reproductive system, and produces a thick fluid that forms part of the semen, which helps transport sperm (Mayo Clinic, 1997c; National Cancer Institute, 1998b).

Prostate Growth Through the Lifecycle

The prostate goes through different stages of growth throughout a man's lifecycle:

Occasionally, the prostate can grow abnormally large, due to cancerous or non-cancerous cell growth, both of which can cause problems for the male gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, or reproductive system.

What is Cancer?

To understand cancer of the prostate, we must first understand how cancer develops. Cancer is a group of many different diseases, which all have one thing in common, they affect the body's basic unit of life -- cells. The body is made up of many types of cells, which grow and divide to produce more cells when the body needs them. This orderly process is what helps keep the body healthy. If the cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, however, they form too much tissue. This excess tissue can form a mass called a tumor. Excess tissue can be benign or malignant.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer

- American Cancer Society, 1999b

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Although a benign tumor is not cancerous, it may still cause some problems where the mass is formed. One example of this is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. BPH is the abnormal growth of benign prostate cells.

Though it is not cancerous, BPH can result in many of the same symptoms as prostate cancer (see How Would I Know if I Had Prostate Cancer). In BPH, the prostate grows larger and pushes against the urethra and bladder. This enlargement of the prostate often results in blocking of the normal flow of urine and may interfere with sexual function.

Although BPH may not be a threat to life, it may still require medication or surgery to relieve symptoms.

More than half of men in the U.S. between the ages of 60 to 70, and as many as 90% of those ages 70 to 90 have symptoms of BPH (National Cancer Institute, 1998b; National Cancer Institute, 1999).

What is Prostate Cancer?

Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they begin. Cancer beginning in the prostate is called primary prostate cancer or prostatic cancer. Prostate cancer may remain localized in the prostate gland or spread to other parts of the body such as bones, bladder, rectum, or other organs.

When cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the new tumor(s) have the same malignant cells, and, therefore, the same name as the primary original tumor. Thus, if prostate cancer spreads to the bones, the cancer cells in the new tumor are prostate cancer cells, and the disease is called metastatic prostate cancer -- not bone cancer (National Cancer Institute, 1998b).

Understanding How Prostate Cancer Spreads Through the Lymphatic System

Lymph is a clear fluid that contains tissue waste products and immune system cells.

Lymph nodes are small collections of immune system cells located in many areas of the body that help defend against harmful foreign particles, such as germs.

Lymphatic vessels carry the lymph (fluid) to the lymph nodes. Most lymphatic vessels of the prostate lead to pelvic lymph nodes.

If cancer cells enter these lymph vessels and spread along these vessels to the lymph nodes, they can continue to grow and spread to other organs of the body.

- American Cancer Society, 1998; American Cancer Society, 1999a

Who is at Risk for Prostate Cancer?

Although the cause of prostate cancer is still largely unknown, we do know that there are certain factors that put one man at higher risk than another. These risk factors include age, race, family history, nationality, diet, physical activity, and vasectomy.

Farmers at Increased Risk

Not only is the African-American population at higher risk, but other select groups seem to be at higher risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer as well. One of these groups is men whose prime occupation is farming. It is not clear why this connection exists, but "men whose usual occupation was farmer were at increased risk for prostate cancer after adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol, and dietary factors" in a study conducted among 1,177 cancer-free men who were followed for 9 years (Parker, et .al., 1999).

According to this study farmers have a 70% greater chance of developing prostate cancer than non-farmers, and older farmers have more than twice the risk of non-farmers. The adjustment for lifestyle and dietary factors suggests that environmental factors may be the cause. The study, however, did not examine specific exposures related to farming (Speicher, 1999).

Thus, although we still do not know the causal relationship, it is crucial that every man have his regular, annual exam for prostate cancer. Early detection will allow for the best treatment options with the least risk of side effects.

How Would I Know If I Had Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms for many years. When symptoms do result, the cancer has often spread to other parts of the body. Some symptoms may include the following:

Although all of these can be signs and symptoms of cancer, they are more often symptoms of a non-cancerous enlargement, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is important to have an annual checkup and to check with your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed.

Early Detection

Because there are typically no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer development, regular checkups, beginning at age 40, are important for early detection. If you have a family history of prostate cancer or are an African-American man, consult your doctor about being screened earlier.

There are three types of tests that are commonly done to detect prostate cancer. The digital rectal exams, blood tests, and urine tests.

Diagnosis: Biopsy

If any of these tests results suggest that cancer may be present, a biopsy will be needed. A biopsy is the only sure way to confirm that there is cancerous prostate tissue. This procedure requires that a doctor remove a small portion of prostate tissue, usually with the use of a needle. After the procedure, a pathologist looks at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Biopsy

- American Cancer Society, 1999a

Diagnosis: Grade and Stage

If cancer cells are present, the pathologist will usually report the grade and stage of the tumor.

Grade

The grade is a term used to describe how closely a tumor resembles normal tissue, and may suggest how fast the tumor is likely to grow. The pathologist may describe the tumor as low-, medium, or high-grade cancer. One way of grading prostate cancer, known as the Gleason system, uses scores 2 to 10; another system uses G1 to G4. Either way, the higher the score, the higher the grade of tumor. High grade tumors grow more quickly and are more likely to spread than low-grade tumors.

Stage

Staging of prostate cancer is determining the site and location of the disease.

If results of all tests do not suggest cancer is present, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery to reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The surgery performed in this case is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), where an instrument is inserted through the penis to remove prostate tissue that is pressing against the upper part of the urethra (American Cancer Society, 1999a).

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

There are five primary types of treatment for prostate cancer.

  1. Surgery -- Some common types of surgery include radical prostatectomy, in which the entire prostate gland is removed, or cryosurgery in which the cells of the prostate are frozen using a metal probe.
  2. Radiation therapy -- Radiation therapy uses high energy rays and particles to kill cancer cells.
  3. Hormone therapy -- Hormone therapy has the goal of lowering levels of male hormones, androgens, particularly testosterone. This may be done through the use of drugs, an orchiectomy (an operation which removes the testicles), or a combination of these and other treatments. Hormone therapy is thought to work most effectively in early stages of prostate cancer.
  4. Chemotherapy -- Chemotherapy is used for patients whose cancer has spread beyond the prostate. This treatment uses anticancer drugs injected into the vein, muscle, or taken by mouth. These drugs kill cancer cells, but may also damage some normal cells.
  5. Watchful waiting -- Watching and waiting may be recommended if the cancer is not causing any symptoms, is expected to grow very slowly, and is small and contained within one area of the prostate. This approach is particularly used among men who are elderly or have other serious health problems (American Cancer Society, 1999d).

Treatment is handled on a case by case basis. Your choice in treatment may be different depending on your particular circumstances. Your doctor can help you consider what treatment options are best for you. The most important thing is to have regular checkups -- early detection can mean more, better treatment options with fewer possible side effects.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Treatment

- Mayo Clinic, 1997b

Side Effects of Treatment

One reason men often do not want to go in for their annual checkup is concern about discovering the disease and the idea that they may have to undergo some type of surgery. It is not the surgery itself that concerns most men, but rather it's possible side effects -- primarily the fear of impotence, followed by concern about incontinence.

Impotence

Impotence, also called erectile dysfunction, is the inability to have an erection of the penis adequate for sexual intercourse. In some procedures for prostate cancer treatment, the nerves that allow a man to get an erection may be damaged or removed. This is why early detection of prostate cancer is so crucial. The earlier the cancer is detected, the more options a man may have for treatment, especially treatments with limited risk of this type of side effect.

Incontinence

Incontinence may also be a serious concern regarding prostate cancer treatment. Incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder, resulting in leakage or dribbling of urine. These problems may result due to damage to a muscle or nerves that keep the bladder muscles working effectively. Again, however, the importance of early detection is clear. The earlier prostate cancer is detected the more options available for treatments that have lower risk of side effects.

Questions about screening or treatment? Call 1-800-4-CANCER.

Doctor Who?

Doctors go by many different names, titles, or specializations. It is sometimes difficult to know what type of doctor you should seek or why you have been referred to a certain type of doctor.

A primary care physician (PCP) or family doctor will often be the one performing routine screenings. This is who you would see for your annual prostate cancer exam.

A urologist is a doctor specializing in problems of the urinary tract and overall genitourinary (GU) system. If you have symptoms related to prostate cancer you could go directly to a urologist. Your PCP may also refer you to a urologist if there is a suspicion of prostate cancer or other related problems.

A pathologist is a doctor that looks at tissue under a microscope. If a biopsy is performed, a pathologist will be consulted to determine of there are cancerous cells in the tissue.

An oncologist is a doctor that specializes in medicine dealing with tumors. Specific types of oncologists may be consulted for treatment options. A radiation oncologist, for instance, is consulted if radiation therapy is being considered as a treatment option. A radiation oncologist specializes in the application of radiation treatment in cancer patients (Drkoop, 1998a; National Cancer Institute, 1998b).

Extension Resources

Prostate Cancer

Exhibits

Teaching Resources

Videos

Now Available: New Cancer Prevention Resources

Video

Displays

Smoking Prevention Resources

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News release articles for each HealthHints issue are sent to you by e-mail. You can also use any of the information in HealthHints for news releases.

Extension Agents Please Report

To support continued funding by the Texas Cancer Council, we need you to report your use of cancer resources and any cancer-focused programs done in your county. Please include this information in your monthly reports using the word cancer somewhere in your reports.

Websites with Reliable Information


References


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