A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF PROSTATE CANCER

PROSTATE CANCER 101 SPONSORED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE PROSTATE CANCER COALITION AND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF STATE PROSTATE CANCER COALITIONS

STATISTICS n Over 238,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 n About 29,720 men will die of prostate cancer in 2013 (American Cancer Society statistics)

Why Should Every Man Be Concerned About Prostate Cancer? Because... n It is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men n Over ONE MILLION men have Prostate Cancer and don’t know it n It can kill – If it has spread distantly at time of diagnosis, there is only a 28% chance of 5-year survival

Prostate Cancer is an Epidemic in the U.S. n Every 2.5 minutes, a man will be told he has prostate cancer AND... n Every 17 minutes, a man will die from prostate cancer

We Don’t Know the Causes, But We Do Know What Factors Increase Risk nFnFamily history nEnEthnic heritage nDnDiet and Nutrition

Myths nPnProstate Cancer is an “old man’s” disease nPnProstate cancer is easy to cure nMnMen die WITH prostate cancer, not FROM it

Prostate Cancer is Called a “Silent Killer” n A diagnosis of Prostate Cancer usually strikes without warning n Early Stage Prostate Cancer usually does not exhibit the “traditional” symptoms

Late Symptoms That May Give Warning n Need to urinate frequently, esp. at night n Difficulty starting urination or holding back urination n Weak or interrupted flow of urine n Inability to urinate n Painful or burning urination n Blood in urine n Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, upper thighs n Decreased sexual function

Don’t Panic! See a Physician if you DO have symptoms n You may not have Prostate Cancer n You may have a non-cancerous inflammation of the prostate known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) n You may have an inflammation of the prostate known as Prostatitis

Annual Check-ups Are Your Best Defense Against This Epidemic n The earlier Prostate Cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival n Early detection also means there are more treatment options available

How Often Should You be Tested? Annually if... –You are 40 years of age and have a life expectancy of at least 10 years –You are 35 and have a high risk factor such as... n A Family History of Prostate Cancer n You are African-American, Hispanic or Native American

What Tests Will Your Physician Use to Screen for Prostate Cancer n Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) n Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) n Additional tests may include PCA3 and Prostate Health Index (PHI) n Sometimes MRI-Guided Biopsy

It is essential that men overcome their reluctance to have a physical!

THE TESTING QUANDARY n IS THERE SUCH A THING AS OVERDIAGNOSIS? n IS THERE OVERTREATMENT? n HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH MEN REQUIRE TREATMENT?

WHY TEST? UNTIL WE KNOW WHICH MEN REQUIRE TREATMENT, WE CAN’T AFFORD TO STOP TESTING BECAUSE WE WILL MISS THOSE MEN WHO NEED TREATMENT TO SURVIVE, AND WE WILL CAUSE AN INCREASE OF METASTATIC DISEASE AT TIME OF DIAGNOSIS!

PROSTATE CANCER IS A TISSUE-BASED DIAGNOSIS n A HIGH PSA OR A PSA THAT IS INCREASING IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WILL LIKELY LEAD TO A BIOPSY n AN ABNORMAL DRE WILL ALSO LIKELY LEAD TO A BIOPSY

GLEASON SCORE n A DESCRIPTION BY THE PATHOLOGIST OF WHAT HE SEES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE WHEN HE EXAMINES THE BIOPSY SPECIMEN: THE HIGHER THE NUMBER, THE MORE AGGRESSIVE THE TUMOR.

STAGING THE DISEASE n CLINICAL VERSUS PATHOLOGIC STAGING n CLINICAL STAGING IS BASED UPON THE PSA, THE AMOUNT AND LOCATION OF DISEASE, THE GLEASON SCORE AND OTHER TEST RESULTS

If You Are Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer n Take control n Examine your choices n Ask questions about treatments n Talk to your family and friends n Seek a second opinion

If You Are Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer… Become your own advocate Visit or join a support group!

Before Deciding on Treatment Know Your Options n Ask your doctor about options, such as surgery, RT, or Active Surveillance (AS) n Become a researcher –Use the library –Get on the Internet –Contact your local Prostate Cancer support group to speak personally with a survivor

IF DIAGNOSED WITH P Ca: USE THE TEAM APPROACH AND REMEMBER THAT ALL TESTING AND TREATMENT CHOICES SHOULD BE A JOINT DECISION BETWEEN YOUR PHYSICIAN AND YOU!

Be Proactive n Remember, it’s your responsibility to protect your health n What treatment you select is your choice n Be sure you thoroughly understand the consequences of the treatment you elect to undergo

Remember, With an Annual Prostate Checkup... THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN!!! YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF, AS WELL AS YOUR FAMILY

MEREL GREY NISSENBERG, n n