Prostate cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the prostate — a small gland, just below the bladder, that helps make the fluid part of semen and is part of the male reproductive system.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. It is usually found early, and it often grows slowly. Most people with prostate cancer are cured.
People diagnosed with early prostate cancer often have many treatment options to consider, which can feel overwhelming. Treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, or carefully watching the cancer to see if it grows. If the cancer grows beyond the prostate or spreads, there are still many options. Prostate cancer that spreads can be more difficult to cure — but even when a cure isn’t possible, treatments can slow the growth of the cancer and help patients live longer.
Symptoms
Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms at first. Most are found at an early stage, when the cancer is only in the prostate and often doesn’t cause symptoms. When they happen, early-stage signs and symptoms can include:
- Blood in the urine, which might make the urine look pink, red, or cola-colored
- Blood in the semen
- Needing to urinate more often
- Trouble getting started when trying to urinate
- Waking up to urinate more often at night
If the prostate cancer spreads, other symptoms can happen. Cancer that spreads to other parts of the body is called metastatic prostate cancer — also called stage 4 or advanced prostate cancer. Signs and symptoms of advanced prostate cancer can include:
- Accidental leaking of urine
- Back pain
- Bone pain
- Difficulty getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Feeling very tired
- Losing weight without trying
- Weakness in the arms or legs
When to See a Doctor
Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
It’s often not clear what causes prostate cancer. Prostate cancer starts when cells in the prostate develop changes in their DNA. A cell’s DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA tells the cells to grow and multiply at a set rate, and to die at a set time.
In cancer cells, the DNA changes give different instructions: they tell the cells to grow and multiply quickly, and to keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells. The cancer cells might form a mass called a tumor that can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body — called metastatic cancer.
Risk Factors
- Age over 50. The risk of prostate cancer goes up with age and is most common after age 50.
- Black men. In the United States, Black men have a 70% greater incidence of prostate cancer than the general population — a greater risk than people of other races and ethnicities. Healthcare professionals aren’t exactly sure why. In Black men, prostate cancer is also more likely to grow quickly or be advanced when detected.
- Family history of prostate cancer. Risk may be increased if a blood relative — a parent, sibling, grandparent, or parent’s sibling — has been diagnosed.
- Family history of DNA changes. Some inherited DNA changes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 (best known for breast and ovarian cancer), can raise prostate cancer risk.
- Obesity. Studies have had mixed results, but in people with obesity prostate cancer may be more likely to grow quickly and to return after treatment.
- Smoking tobacco. Some research links smoking to a higher risk of the cancer returning or spreading beyond the prostate.
- Chemical exposure. Risk may be higher in those exposed to certain chemicals, including Agent Orange and arsenic.
Why This Matters to Us
The 70% greater incidence of prostate cancer in Black men sits at the heart of our mission. We pay particular attention to why this disparity exists — developing assets to treat the disease while considering the social determinants and etiology behind it.
Complications
- Cancer that spreads. Prostate cancer can spread to the bones or other organs. The spread often takes many years because most prostate cancers grow slowly, and most people who go untreated never develop metastatic cancer. Still, some do — risk is higher when the cancer is larger at diagnosis and the Gleason score is high.
- Incontinence. Prostate cancer and its treatment can cause leaking of urine.
- Erectile dysfunction. Difficulty getting an erection can be caused by prostate cancer or its treatment.
Prevention
There is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, but you can help reduce your risk:
- Choose a healthy diet. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit animal fats. Tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and soy have been linked to lower risk, though no studies have proved they prevent cancer.
- Exercise most days of the week. It may help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall health and mood. If you’re new to exercise, start slow and talk with a healthcare professional.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose weight, add more exercise and eat fewer calories, and ask a healthcare professional for help with a plan.
- Don’t smoke. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, ask about medicines, nicotine replacement, and counseling that can help you quit.
- Ask about medicines to lower risk. If you have a high risk, talk with your healthcare professional about the benefits and risks of medicines such as finasteride and dutasteride.
Adapted from MayoClinic.org. This page is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice.
