What every Man Needs to Know About Prostate Cancer : Anatomy, Detection and Prevention

Date posted: 13-08-2025

Did you know that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide? Whether you’re approaching middle age or simply want to stay ahead of the curve, understanding the basics of prostate anatomy, early detection, and proven prevention strategies can make all the difference. Let’s dive into what every man needs to know—because knowledge could be the key that keeps you healthy for years to come.

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, often slow-growing and found in older individuals. Most patients are between 60 and 79 years old. Therefore, elderly men should undergo screening for prostate cancer to help prevent its development.

Prostate and Cancer

The prostate is a male organ located around the urethra in the pelvic region, beneath the bladder. Its function is to produce a fluid that nourishes and helps transport sperm. The prostate tends to enlarge with age, which can obstruct the urethra and lead to difficulties with urination. This condition is common among the elderly but distinct from prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer develops from abnormal cells in the prostate that divide uncontrollably and rapidly. This can cause obstruction of the urinary tract and damage the normal tissues of the prostate. If not detected early, the cancer can spread to other organs. Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, often slow-growing and found in older individuals.

Prostate cancer is dangerous because it is a malignant tumor that can worsen if not treated. As it advances, it may spread to nearby organs or travel through the lymphatic or blood vessels to distant parts of the body. For instance, if it reaches the bladder, it can cause blood in the urine. Its most common site of spread is the bones, where it can lead to severe bone pain and fractures. When the cancer becomes widespread, patients may experience extreme fatigue, sudden and unexplained weight loss, and eventually, it can be fatal.

Prostate Cancer: Risk Factors

Older age: Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are found in men older than 65.
Race/ethnicity : Prostate cancer develops more often in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races. And when it does develop in these men, they tend to be younger. Prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian American, Hispanic, and Latino men than in non-Hispanic White men. The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are not clear.
Family history: Prostate cancer seems to run in some families, which suggests that in some cases there may be an inherited or genetic factor. Still, most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of it.
Inherited faulty genes: Most cancers are not linked to inherited faulty genes . But some inherited faulty genes can increase your risk of prostate cancer. These inherited genes are rare and account for only a small number of cancers.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are important genes that stop the cells in our body from growing and dividing out of control. A fault or mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene means that the cells can grow out of control. This can lead to cancer. People with Lynch syndrome caused by faults in a number of genes such as MLH1 and MLH2 which are important for repairing DNA have an increased risk of developing a number of cancers, including prostate cancer.

Obesity and Weight : Being overweight or obese increases your risk of metastatic or advanced prostate cancer.

Detection: How Is Prostate Cancer Found ?

Prostate-specific antigen test: A prostate-specific antigen test is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Prostate-specific antigen, also called PSA, is a substance that prostate cells make. Having a high level of PSA in your blood can be a sign of prostate cancer.
Digital rectal exam: A digital rectal exam lets a healthcare professional examine the prostate. During a digital rectal exam, a healthcare professional inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. The prostate is right by the rectum. The health professional feels the prostate for anything concerning the texture, shape or size of the gland.
Prostate ultrasound: Ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to make pictures of the body. A prostate ultrasound makes pictures of the prostate. A healthcare professional might recommend this test if a digital rectal exam detects something concerning.
Prostate MRI : Magnetic resonance imaging, also called MRI, uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of the inside of the body. A prostate MRI makes pictures of the prostate. It's often used to look for concerning areas in the prostate that could cause cancer.
Prostate biopsy: A prostate biopsy involves removing tissue from the prostate. It's the only way to know for sure whether there is cancer in the prostate. A prostate biopsy involves removing prostate tissue with a needle. The needle can go through the skin or through the rectum to get to the prostate. Your healthcare team chooses the kind of prostate biopsy that's best for you.

Prevention of Prostate Cancer

Even men who are already at greater risk due to age, race or genetics can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer by adopting healthy diets and lifestyles.

Improve Your Diet: Researchers don’t completely understand the relationship between diet and prostate cancer prevention, but studies suggest that certain eating habits may help.

Reduce fat intake. Eat less trans fats and saturated fats. Focus on healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds and fish.
Eat more fruits and vegetables. Incorporate a wide variety of produce, including plenty of leafy greens.
Add green tea and soy. Clinical trials have suggested that soy may lower PSA levels, and that green tea may help men who are at high risk for prostate cancer lower their risk.
Avoid charred meat. Charred meat, from frying or grilling at high temperatures, may produce a chemical compound that leads to cancer.
Maintain a Healthy Weight : Obesity can be a risk factor for developing more aggressive prostate cancer. In general, losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight as you age can help reduce your risk of cancer and many other health problems.
Get Regular Exercise: In addition to helping you achieve a healthy weight, exercise can reduce inflammation, improve immune function and fight some of the negative health effects of a sedentary lifestyle—all of which can help prevent cancer.
Stop Smoking and Drink Less: Quitting smoking can improve your health in many ways, including lowering your cancer risk. And if you drink, do so in moderation. Some studies suggest that red wine has antioxidant properties that may benefit your health.
Increase Your Vitamin D: Vitamin D-rich foods include cod liver oil, wild salmon and dried shitake mushrooms. Since the sun is a better, more readily available source of vitamin D, many experts recommend getting 10 minutes of sun exposure (without sunscreen) every day.
Stay Sexually Active: Some experts theorize that ejaculation clears the body of toxins and other substances that could cause inflammation.

Prostate Cancer : Q and A

Q: Do vasectomies raise a man’s risk for prostate cancer?

A: Over the last few years, it has been reported that vasectomies do not cause prostate cancer. It’s possible that vasectomy itself might not increase risk, but more prostate cancer cases might be discovered during pre-vasectomy medical exams.

Q: Does prostate cancer run in families?

A: Prostate cancer can run in families. If a man has a first-degree relative (parent or brother) with prostate cancer, his risk for developing prostate cancer is about 2 to 3 times higher than average. His chances of having prostate cancer go up even higher if he has more than one first-degree relative with prostate cancer and if these relatives were diagnosed at a younger age.

Q: Does prostate cancer always have symptoms?

A: Actually, prostate cancer often has no symptoms, especially in its early stages. That’s why it’s so important to be screened, especially for men with risk factors.Common symptoms include urination difficulties, painful ejaculation, and blood in the urine or semen. Other urologic conditions, such as prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), can have these symptoms, too. That’s why doctors do a complete checkup if men have these symptoms.

Q: Does prostate cancer always require surgery?

A: Radical prostatectomy — the surgical removal of the prostate gland — is a common prostate cancer treatment.

But not all men with prostate cancer have surgery. For example, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy are other treatment options.

Expert Prostate Care at Believers Hospital’s Urology Department

At Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, our Department of Urology is committed to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care for men’s health, including expert diagnosis and treatment of prostate conditions. Our team of highly experienced urologists, equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and minimally invasive surgical technologies, ensures accurate detection and personalized treatment plans for every patient. Whether it’s routine prostate screening or managing complex prostate cancer cases, our specialists deliver compassionate, patient-centered care that prioritizes outcomes and quality of life. Schedule a consultation with our Urology experts at Believers Hospital by calling our helpline or booking an appointment online. Early detection can make all the difference.

Take charge of your prostate health today !