Prostate Cancer Explained: Signs, Risks & Treatments You Need to Know in men often grows so slowly that it may not cause problems for years?
Did you know that one of the most common cancers in men often grows so slowly that it may not cause problems for years? In this video, we're diving deep into prostate cancer, a disease that starts in the prostate gland—a small, walnut-shaped gland found only in males.
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate start to grow out of control. While many prostate cancers are slow-growing and may need minimal or even no treatment, others can be aggressive and spread quickly. Understanding the risks, recognizing the early signs, and knowing your options is crucial for early detection and effective management.
Join us as we break down everything you need to know about this common yet complex disease.
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00:00Welcome back to medicine. Today we're going to talk about something that affects millions of men and their families around the world.
00:07Prostate cancer. It's the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, but the good news is that it can often be treated successfully, especially when caught early.
00:16Hello, welcome back to Medicpedia.
00:19In the next 10 minutes, we'll break down everything you need to know from what the prostate is to the latest in treatment and prevention.
00:25Our goal is to give you clear, reliable information that can help you or the men in your life.
00:30So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let's get started.
00:34What is the prostate and what is prostate cancer?
00:37First things, what exactly is the prostate?
00:40The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system.
00:45It's located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
00:49Its main job is to produce some of the fluid that makes up semen.
00:52Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control.
00:57Most prostate cancers are a type called adenocarcinomas, which develop from the gland cells.
01:03Many of these cancers grow very slowly and may not cause serious harm.
01:07However, some types are more aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body.
01:12When the cancer spreads, it's known as metastatic prostate cancer.
01:15Who is at risk?
01:17So, who is most at risk for developing prostate cancer?
01:20There are a few key factors to be aware of.
01:23Age.
01:24This is the biggest risk factor.
01:26The risk of prostate cancer increases significantly after the age of 50,
01:30and more than 80% of cases are found in men over 65.
01:34Race.
01:35For reasons that are still being studied,
01:37prostate cancer is more common in black men than in men of other races.
01:41Family history.
01:42If your father or brother had prostate cancer, your risk is more than doubled.
01:46The risk is even higher if the cancer was diagnosed at a young age.
01:51Genetics.
01:52Certain inherited genetic mutations, like changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes,
01:58can also increase the risk of prostate cancer.
02:01Signs and symptoms.
02:02One of the most important things to know is that in its early stages,
02:06prostate cancer often has no symptoms.
02:08This is why screening is so important, which we'll talk about in a moment.
02:12When symptoms do appear, they can include
02:14Difficulties starting urination.
02:17A weak or interrupted flow of urine needing to urinate more often.
02:21Especially at night, trouble completely emptying the bladder, pain, or burning during urination,
02:25blood in the urine, or semen-painful ejaculation.
02:28If the cancer has spread beyond the prostate,
02:31symptoms can include pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away,
02:35and sometimes unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
02:38It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by other,
02:42non-cancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate.
02:45But if you experience any of these, it's crucial to see a doctor to find out what's going on.
02:50How is prostate cancer diagnosed and staged?
02:53If you or your doctor are concerned about prostate cancer, there are several steps to diagnosis.
02:59Screening and diagnosis.
03:01PSA test.
03:02This is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, PSA, in your blood.
03:09High levels of PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other conditions.
03:15Digital rectal exam.
03:16DRE.
03:17During a DRE, a doctor will feel the prostate for any hard, lumpy, or abnormal areas.
03:23MRI.
03:24Increasingly.
03:25Doctors are using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI,
03:28to get a detailed look at the prostate and identify any suspicious areas.
03:33Biopsy.
03:34If other tests are concerning, a biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis.
03:38A small sample of prostate tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for cancer cells.
03:44Staging.
03:45Once a diagnosis is made, the cancer is given a stage to describe how advanced it is.
03:49This is often done using the TNM system, which considers the size of the tumor,
03:54whether it has spread to lymph nodes, and if it has spread or metastasized to other parts of the body.
04:00The cancer is also given a Gleason score, which helps predict how quickly it might grow.
04:05Stage 1.
04:06The cancer is small and confined to the prostate.
04:09Stage 2.
04:11The tumor is more advanced but still within the prostate.
04:14Stage 3.
04:15The cancer is spread just outside the prostate to nearby tissues.
04:18Stage 4.
04:21The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bladder, rectum, or bones.
04:26A simplified graphic illustrating the stages of prostate cancer appears on screen.
04:31Treatment Options.
04:32What you need to know if you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are several treatment options.
04:37And the best choice depends on the stage of the cancer, your overall health, and your personal preferences.
04:42For slow-growing cancers.
04:44Active surveillance or watchful waiting.
04:46If the cancer is low-risk and not causing symptoms, your doctor might recommend closely monitoring it with regular PSA tests and biopsies and only starting treatment if it grows.
04:57For cancers that need treatment.
04:59Surgery.
05:00A radical.
05:01Prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue.
05:06Radiation therapy.
05:08This uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
05:11It can be delivered from a machine outside the body.
05:13External beam radiation or by placing tiny radioactive seeds inside the prostate.
05:19Brachy therapy.
05:21Hormone therapy.
05:22Prostate cancer cells often rely on male hormones, like testosterone, to grow.
05:27Hormone therapy reduces the levels of these hormones or stops them from working.
05:31Chemotherapy.
05:32This uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells and is often used for cancers that have spread to other parts of the body,
05:38such as the bones or lymph nodes.
05:41Newer treatments.
05:42There are also newer.
05:44Innovative treatments like.
05:45Focal therapy.
05:47This is a minimally invasive approach that targets only the cancerous part of the prostate.
05:52Reducing side effects.
05:53Methods include high-intensity focused ultrasound, HIFU, and irreversible electroporation, nano knife.
06:00Targeted therapy.
06:01These drugs target specific weaknesses in cancer cells.
06:05Can prostate cancer be prevented?
06:07While there's no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, there are steps you can take to lower your risk.
06:13Eat a healthy diet.
06:15A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in animal fats may help reduce your risk.
06:21Maintain a healthy weight.
06:22Obesity is linked to a higher risk of more aggressive prostate cancer, so staying at a healthy weight is important.
06:28Exercise regularly.
06:30Regular physical activity has many health benefits, including a potentially lower risk of prostate cancer.
06:35So aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
06:41Do and smoke and limit alcohol.
06:43Smoking is linked to a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer, and limiting alcohol intake is also recommended.
06:50The future of prostate cancer research.
06:52The future of prostate cancer treatment is very hopeful.
06:54Researchers are constantly working on new and better ways to diagnose and treat this disease.
07:01For example, a new drug called NXP-AOO is showing promise in treating prostate cancers that have become resistant to hormone therapy.
07:09There are also ongoing clinical trials looking at more targeted forms of radiotherapy and new types of immunotherapy.
07:15Be proactive about your health.
07:17We've covered a lot of information today, and I hope you found it helpful.
07:21The key takeaway is this.
07:23While prostate cancer is a serious disease, there are many reasons to be optimistic.
07:28With early detection and the wide range of treatment options available today, the outcomes from them with prostate cancer are better than ever.
07:35If you are over 50, or if you have a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about screening.
07:42Don't be afraid to ask questions and be an active participant in your own health.
07:47If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe to our channel, and share it with the men in your life.
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