Usually a slow-growing disease, prostate cancer affects men in their old age and is one of the most common cancers globally. Most prostate cancers are manageable today with medical advances and timely diagnosis. However, if it goes unnoticed or undiagnosed, it can also lead to serious problems, such as prostatic enlargement, which results in difficulty in urinating, a weak urine stream, and, in some instances, blood in urine. We should examine the disease in greater detail and understand how it can be effectively managed with a preventive mindset and thoughtful care. This can make all the difference in maintaining well-being as men age.
Genetic Factors
While most prostate cancers are sporadic, around 10 per cent are also inherited, with some gene combinations increasing the chances of the disease, determining its genetic predisposition in an individual. The most important genes to understand here are BRCA1 and BRCA2. While they are most linked to cancers of the breast and ovary in women, mutations in these genes also greatly increase the risk of prostate cancer in men.
With mutations in BRCA2, the likelihood of developing cancer is considerably higher, standing at 25-50 per cent as compared to BRCA1. Additionally, a mismatch in repair genes, like MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS1, and PMS2, whose function is correcting DNA errors in replication, can lead to cancer development. Apart from these, there are also a few rare mutations that could cause the disease.
Diagnosis: From Suspicion to Confirmation
Any man who has a family history of prostate cancer needs to start timely screening, sometimes as early as 40 to 45 years. Additionally, inherited mutations in families of ovarian or breast cancer must also be given attention to understand the risk in males. Early detection can dramatically improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.
The diagnosis of prostate cancer includes clinical examination, wherein a urologist might carry out a digital rectal examination and try to identify anomalies in the prostate, and biological assessment, wherein the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood determines whether additional investigation is required – for patients between 40 and 60 years of age, a level above 2.5 ng/ ml and for those between 60 and 70, a level above 4, and those above 70 years, level of more than 7 will warrant additional investigations. These checks are usually done yearly or every 2 years.
Screening and Treatment: From Discovery to Defense
Understanding your genetic risk for prostate cancer guides personalised monitoring and treatment strategies. For instance, PARP inhibitors have resulted in better outcomes for patients with mutations in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. In case of DNA repair genes, tumor mutation burden needs to be detected with next-generation sequencing (NGS), and if it is found to be high, patients may benefit from immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to combat cancer. Additionally, the process of cancer staging identifies how far the cancer has spread in the body to the lymphatic system and other organs to determine its treatment.
What You Can Do to Make a Difference
There are some simple and practical things men can do to ensure early detection and timely management of prostate cancer. The most effective weapon is routine monitoring along with scheduled assessments. Begin by consulting specialists about your family history of cancer. For those with a known hereditary cancer syndrome within the family, consider genetic counseling. Additionally, if you have any urinary symptoms or other medical concerns, seek out medical care. The burden of prostate cancer can be greatly reduced by being vigilant with genetic screening, along with early intervention. |
