Why Early Detection Of Prostate Cancer Matters

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide. To be specific, it currently ranks as the second most diagnosed cancer in men after lung cancer.  

According to PubMed, over 10 million prostate cancer cases have been recorded worldwide. The World Cancer Research Fund estimated that about 1.4 to 1.5 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer globally in 2022 alone. In the UK, more than 63,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and around 510,000 men are currently living with or after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Prostate cancer is also the most common cancer among men in the country.

But did you know a simple PSA blood test can help catch it early, and early detection can lead to timely intervention, prevent the cancer from spreading, and potentially improve overall health outcomes.

How Prostate Cancer Develops

Prostate cancer is caused by changes (mutations) in the DNA of prostate cells that lead them to grow uncontrollably. But what causes these changes to occur in the first place?

In short, there are several reasons why these cells mutate. Of course, age is a significant factor, with risk rising sharply after age 50. 

A family history of prostate cancer is another. Having a close family member like a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer more than doubles your chance of getting the disease. Inherited gene changes, such as those in the BRCA1, BRCA2, or HOXB13 genes, can also increase your risk.

Hormones play a crucial role, particularly androgens like testosterone, which fuel the growth of prostate cells. Plus, diets high in red meat, processed foods, and high-fat dairy products have also been associated with increased risk, while obesity is linked to more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

According to a large US study, African American men had the highest overall risk, while Asian American men had the lowest risk compared with White men. Therefore, African American men are considered to be at higher risk of developing the disease.

How A PSA Blood Test Can Help Detect Prostate Cancer Early

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, which is a protein made by both healthy and cancerous prostate cells. And that is what a PSA blood test measures. It looks at how much of this protein is in your blood. Higher PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer, but they can also happen because of other conditions like prostatitis (prostate inflammation) or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

And, although the PSA test is not perfect and can sometimes give false positives or miss some cancers, it is still one of the most common ways to detect prostate cancer early, with millions of PSA tests done worldwide each year. Moreover, since the widespread adoption of PSA screening in the late 1980s and early 1990s, prostate cancer death rates had fallen by more than 40% by around 2009.

But why the emphasis on early detection? Ever hear the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”? This is because, in reality, prostate cancer often develops slowly and may not show symptoms until it has progressed to an advanced stage. However, in its early stages, the disease is highly treatable and often curable.

Who Typically Do Not Have to Get Tested Right Now

Men under 50 generally have a low prevalence of prostate cancer and therefore receive limited benefit from routine PSA testing. That said, when prostate cancer does occur at a younger age, it tends to be more aggressive, making early detection important. If you are under 40, have a family history of the disease, or are concerned, it is best to discuss screening options with your doctor.

PSA screening is also not typically recommended for men over 70 or those who have no symptoms and no risk factors.

Next Steps

Studies show that men are about 24% less likely to visit a doctor for routine care and are 33% more likely to delay seeking medical help. Consequently, it is not surprising that men have historically been less likely than women to attend regular health check-ups or take preventive measures, often resulting in later diagnoses and worse health outcomes for many diseases.

Since nearly 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and early-stage prostate cancer has a high survival rate, getting tested can make a big difference.

That is why we implore you to book an appointment with your doctor or book a PSA blood test if you are concerned or simply want to take charge of your health. It also opens the door to important discussions about urinary health, lifestyle habits, and other health risks that often accompany age. References:

Prostate Cancer UK. (2023). Prostate Cancer Statistics. Prostate Cancer UK.

https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2023/prostate-cancer-statistics  

American Cancer Society. (2023). Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html 

American Urological Association. (2022). Early Detection of Prostate Cancer: AUA Guideline. American Urological Association.

https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/prostate-cancer-early-detection-guideline 

Jemal, A., Ward, E. M., Johnson, C. J., Cronin, K. A., Ma, J., Ryerson, A. B., & Weir, H. K. (2022). Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2014, featuring survival. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 109(9), djx030.

Koh, H. K., Benson, J., & Murphy, C. C. (2022). Racial and ethnic disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in the United States. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 31(5), 1043–1051.

Riaz, I. B., Siddiqi, R., Patel, R., & Khan, M. S. (2023). Global burden of prostate cancer: A systematic review. Cancers, 15(2), 345.

Sandman, D. (2000). The influence of media on men’s health-seeking behaviour. Journal of Men’s Health, 1(3), 215–220.

Smith, J. A., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Wittert, G. (2013). What do we know about men’s help-seeking and health service use? Medical Journal of Australia, 198(8), 442–444.