Q: Which doctor should I consult for prostate cancer?
A: A urologist must be first consulted, with description of symptoms. The urologist may then refer to an oncologist, who specializes in the treatment of cancer.
Q: Are there chances of developing prostate cancer if you suffer from sexually transmitted infection?
A: Sexually transmitted infections can lead to inflammation of the prostate gland. However, there no firm conclusions whether they can cause cancer.
Q: Can prostate cancer be prevented?
A: Prostate cancer cannot be prevented. However, one can take general precautions to prevent cancer, like adopting healthy lifestyle changes.
Q: Is there any early screening test to detect prostate cancer?
A: There are tests like PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and DRE (digital rectal exam) which are early screening tests. However, they are not 100% accurate.
Q: Is prostate cancer curable if detected at an early stage?
A: The cure rate for prostate cancer is high, when detected at initial stages and the cancer is confined to prostate gland.
Q: Is BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) the same as Prostate cancer?
A: BPH and prostate cancer both have similar symptoms and the prostate gland is enlarged. However, BPH is benign and is not cancerous. It does not spread to other parts, whereas, prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
Q: What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
A: The risks of getting prostate cancer include:
- Age: The chances of developing prostate cancer increase after the age of 50 years
- Geography: Prostate cancer is more common in North America, Australia, North-west Europe; it is less common in Asia, Africa and Central America
- Family history: There have been reports which indicate prostate cancer can be inherited
- Diet: Some studies indicate that men who consume lot of calcium may have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer
