September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of all the patients who have fought and are currently fighting these diseases, the Paris Charter Against Cancer would like to contribute to the discussion and present some facts about the disease as well as what you can do to decrease your risk of being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, a small, walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. It is one of the most common cancers in men, particularly affecting older individuals, though it can occur at any age.
There are several different types of prostate cancer.
- Adenocarcinoma of the prostate: develops in the gland cells that line the prostate gland and the tubes of the prostate gland. This is the most common type of prostate cancer. The majority of prostate cancer patients will have this type. There are two types of adenocarcinoma of the prostate:
- Acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate: The most common type, and it develops in the gland cells that line the prostate gland.
- Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate: This type starts in the cells that line the ducts of the prostate gland. It tends to grow and spread more rapidly than acinar adenocarcinoma.
- Transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate: starts in the cells that line the urethra. This type of cancer typically starts in the bladder and spreads into the prostate, however, occasionally it can start in the prostate and spread into the bladder entrance and nearby tissues. Because of this, this type is sometimes called urothelial carcinoma of the prostate.
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the prostate: This type of cancer develops in the flat cells that cover the prostate. It tends to be a more fast-growing and more aggressive cancer than adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
- Small cell prostate cancer: Small cell prostate cancer can also be classed as a type of neuroendocrine cancer. They tend to grow more quickly than other types of prostate cancer.
Risk Factors
Getting older
As with most cancers, prostate cancer is more common as you get older. Prostate cancer is most common in men aged 75 to 79 years.
Ethnicity
Prostate cancer is more common in Black men than in White men. It is the least common in Asian men.
Family history
Your risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have a close relative who has had prostate cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
People who inherit mutated versions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have an increased risk of developing different types of cancer. This includes prostate cancer.
Lynch syndrome
Lynch syndrome, otherwise known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a rare syndrome and the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer. It is caused by mutations in the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM genes, which normally server to protect us from getting certain cancers, however, the mutations in these genes prevent them from working properly, thus not providing their designed protection. The syndrome is also linked to other cancers, such as prostate, pancreatic, and stomach cancer to name a few. People with Lynch syndrome are at a higher risk of these cancers and are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at younger age, typically before the age of 50.
Obesity and weight
Being overweight or obese increases your risk of metastatic or advanced prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer is a cancer that began in the prostate and has spread to another part of the body.
Hormone levels
Research has found that people with high levels of IGF-1 have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is a hormone that regulates normal cell growth.
Prevention & Screening
There are a number of things that can be done to reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
- Get regular prostate screenings if you’re in the affected demographic and/or at a higher risk. Ask your healthcare provider how often you should get screened based on your risk factors.
- Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and maintain a balanced diet to keep you overall as healthy as possible.
- Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Tests: The test is designed to monitor patients who have already had prostate cancer, however in some cases it can be used to screen for prostate cancer, particularly if the patient is high risk.
Statistics
- Prostate cancer is the 4th most common cancer with over 1.4 million new cases in 2022
- It is also the 4th most lethal cancer, with 397,430 deaths attributed to this disease in 2022
Bar Graph of GLOBOCAN 2022 Report showing the Global Incidence and Mortality Rate of the Most Common Cancers.
Map of GLOBOCAN 2022 Report showing the Global Incidence Rate of Prostate Cancer in Males
Pie Chart of GLOBOCAN 2022 Report showing the Incidence Rate of Prostate Cancer in Males According to Region.
Pie Chart of GLOBOCAN 2022 Report showing the Mortality Rate of Prostate Cancer in Males According to Region.
Pie Chart of GLOBOCAN 2022 Report showing the Prevalence of Prostate Cancer in Males According to Region.
