Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer

Below are some frequently asked questions about prostate cancer and their answers.

How common is prostate cancer?

The following are important prostate cancer facts that help illustrate how common the disease is:

• Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men.
• Around 250,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.
• Men 65 and older make up 60 percent of the diagnosed population.
• The average age of diagnosed men is 66.
• The disease is rarely diagnosed in men under 40.
• The number of new cases in African American men is 60 percent higher than the number of new cases in Caucasian men.

How does the prostate change with age?

The prostate grows larger with age, which may squeeze the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body (urethra). Men in their 30s and 40s may experience urinary symptoms. Others may not experience symptoms until later in life.

What are the most common prostate problems?

The three common prostate problems that develop with age are:

• Prostatitis. Prostate inflammation.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An enlarged prostate.
• Prostate cancer. Cancer cells form in the prostate tissues.

It is important to know that prostate conditions do not lead to one another. For example, patients with prostatitis or BPH are not at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

What are the common symptoms of prostate problems?

One of the ways you can take control of your prostate health is to contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Increased urinary frequency during the day
• Urgently needing to pass urine
• Decreased urinary flow
• Burning associated with urination
• Needing to get up to urinate multiple times during the night

How quickly does prostate cancer spread?

Prostate cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the prostate tissue. Prostate cancer grows slowly compared to other cancers. It may take 10 to 30 years before a tumor grows large enough to cause symptoms. For this reason, a man’s prostate health may appear normal for a long period.

In some cases, cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body, usually in the bones first.

At what stage is prostate cancer most commonly found?

Prostate cancer is most commonly found in the local or regional stage, which is the stage where the cancer is found only in the prostate and nearby organs.

What is the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer?

The 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer is 98 percent.

Are there prostate cancer support groups?

There are many prostate cancer support groups. These groups cater to all men, from the newly diagnosed to those with advanced prostate cancer. They help men deal with the emotions associated with being diagnosed with cancer and with understanding their condition, treatment options, and prostate cancer facts.

Common places to find prostate cancer support groups include:

• Local hospitals
• Cancer treatment centers
• Community health centers

Asking your doctor what is available in your area is the best way to start your search for a support group.

There are also support groups for wives, partners and caregivers of men with prostate cancer.

To contact one of New Jersey’s best prostate cancer specialists call
844-CANCERNJ or 844-226-2376.