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.
07:53It could make a real difference.
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