By now, most of us have heard about the BRCA gene test for women who may be susceptible to breast cancer. But is there a genetic test for prostate cancer?
The short answer is yes. Let’s start with the basics.
What Does the Prostate Do?
The prostate is just one of several organs in a man’s reproductive system. The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that sits in front of the rectum, just below the bladder.
The fluid produced by the prostate, along with sperm cells from the testicles and fluids from other glands, make up semen. The muscles of the prostate (which surrounds the urethra) help ensure semen is forcefully expelled outwards during ejaculation.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
So what are the symptoms of prostate cancer? Bearing in mind these symptoms can be evidence of conditions other than prostate cancer, signs to watch for include:
Blood in the urine or semen
Difficulty starting urination
Trouble emptying the bladder completely
Weak or interrupted flow during urination
Frequent need to urinate, especially at night
Pain or burning sensation during urination
Painful ejaculations
Unintentional weight loss
Bone pain
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait to call your doctor. When cancer is identified early, treatment success rates go up.
What Are the Risk Factors?
If you are male, then you are at risk for developing prostate cancer. About 13% of American men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime. But one dominant risk factor for developing prostate cancer is age. The average age of a man at diagnosis is 65 or older. Some men have additional risk factors, including race and a family history of prostate cancer.
Black men are at increased risk of prostate cancer, tend to get it younger, and tend to have a more aggressive type of prostate cancer than ethnicities. Diet may also play a role in promoting cancer risks. A diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables may also contribute to developing prostate cancer.
Is There a Genetic Link?
It’s been well documented that genes may play a role in a man’s susceptibility to developing prostate cancer, so taking a detailed family history is a crucial tool in assessing risk, and your doctor may screen you based on these facts.
There are a few genes that, when they mutate, can play a role in a patient’s susceptibility to prostate cancer. These genetic mutations can hamper the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that typically protect against cancer.
Patients who have a family history of prostate cancer face a higher risk than patients who don’t. The three factors that have been identified in terms of a genetic predisposition for prostate cancer are:
Three or more first-degree relatives (i.e. father, brother, son, etc.) with diagnoses
Three successive generations of either the maternal or paternal lineages with diagnoses
At least two relatives who were affected at or before age 55
Any one of these criteria can increase the possibility of developing hereditary prostate cancer.
When to See Your Doctor
The standard recommendation for prostate cancer screening is every two years for men between the ages of 55 to 69. But if you have any of the symptoms listed above in this article, we recommend that you make an appointment sooner rather than later.
Testing for hereditary prostate cancer can be as simple as a blood or saliva test. Your doctor may also offer genetic counseling which involves a comprehensive cancer risk assessment, genetic testing, and risk management advice. Depending on your risk factors and cancer stage, your doctor may suggest radical prostatectomy which is the surgical removal of the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes.
If you are experiencing symptoms or suspect you may have prostate cancer, the physicians at Norman Urology are here to help. We are specialists in this area and are trained in the latest methods of cancer treatments and procedures. We’d love to hear from you today!