Prostate Awareness Month

What is Prostate?

Prostate is the part in the male reproductive system that produces a milky fluid that nourishes the sperm.  It is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra.  

How does Prostate Cancer occur?

Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland multiply uncontrollably, forming a lump that gradually grows to block the urinary path.

Cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, bones and lungs.  Being slow-growing, it may show no symptoms until the disease becomes advanced.  An enlarged prostate causing difficulty in passing urine could be sign of advanced cancer, and may also lead to kidney failure.

Common symptoms of prostate cancer :

a) Difficult or frequent urination, sensation of incomplete emptying, weak urine stream, or blood in the urine

b) Constipation or inability to control defecation, rectal bleeding

c) If the cancer has spread, symptoms such as loin or bone pain, leg paralysis, drowsiness and weight loss may be present.

Prostate cancer risks increase rapidly after age 50.  3 in every 4 prostate cancers diagnosed are in males aged 65 and above.  It is the 5^th most common male cancer in Singapore, with incidence increasing at 5.6% annually.   Screening for prostate cancer includes Digital Rectal Examination (DRE), and PSA(Prostate-Specific Antigen) which is a blood test with tumor marker.

Learn more about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Prostate Cancer :