What you should know about prostate cancer

The diagnosis of prostate cancer may fill you with fear and the feeling that you have to do something immediately. Luckily, because most prostate cancers are slow-growing, time is on your side — here's what you need to know.

• Early detection with routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing is changing the outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer. At this point the tumour is usually confined to the prostate gland, so it is highly curable with surgery or radiation therapies
• When cancer is detected early, you can learn about how aggressive it is and then properly assess appropriate treatment strategies with your doctors (of urology, radiotherapy, oncology). By under­standing the benefits of each doctor’s approach, you will be better equipped to make an informed decision about your next steps
• The prostate, a walnut-sized gland near the neck of the bladder, produces part of the fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is the un­checked growth of abnormal cells within the gland
• Researchers don't know why cells become cancerous, but a fat-rich diet and the male hormone testosterone are suspected
• If the cancer goes undetected, it may spread through the capsule containing the gland and invade nearby nodes and the bladder. Or, cells may be carried by the bloodstream to the bones or elsewhere. If this occurs, the cancer is no longer curable, but can be controlled for some years with hormonal treatment, radiation, chemotherapy and newer therapies under investigation
• Your treatment is based on the stage of the cancer at diagnosis
• Each year, an estimated 19,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Canada, with one in four expected to die of the disease
• The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases with age: the average age of diagnosis is 72
• Thanks to the recently developed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, however, doctors are commonly finding prostate cancer at the earliest stage, and their ability to cure it at this time is much better than in later stages

• Develop a thorough understanding of all available therapies, including surgery and radiation
• If a procedure is needed, seek out the most experienced doctor for your treatment, whether a urologist or a radiation oncologist
• Continue to work with your doctor as a team to map out your strategies for a cure
• Mobilize support with family, friends, a counsellor or a support group

• Talk over your options. Don't be embarrassed. The best treatment evolves when you involve family members and various physicians in the discussion
• Take your time to decide. In most cases, prostate cancer is slow-growing, leaving you time to plan a counterattack
• Find a pro. Especially when opting for a radical prosta­tectomy, choose an expert in the field with an established track record
• Join a local support group. The Canadian Prostate Cancer Network is a non-profit, national association of prostate cancer support groups

• The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada is the leading national organization devoted to eliminating prostate cancer in Canada
• The Canadian Prostate Health Council has a wealth of material on prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate available online, and also ­maintains a nationwide list of support groups

When you, or someone you love, is faced with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, it's important to understand what is happening and what your treatment options are. The information here is a good basis to get you started.