Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men. On average, 76 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day. Because prostate cancer affects so many people, there is a lot of information about the risks, effects of treatment and outcomes of this disease. But there is also a lot of incorrect information.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, learn the truth about these common prostate cancer myths so you can tell fact from fiction.1) Myth: Prostate cancer only affects older men.
Fact: While the risk for prostate cancer increases as men get older, age is only 1 risk to consider. Men in their 60s are most often diagnosed, but behaviours, substances or conditions can also affect your chances of developing prostate cancer.
Some risks are out of your control. For example, if you have close relatives (your father, brother or son) who were diagnosed, the greater your risk is for developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer also occurs in Black men more often than in men of other ethnicities.
Other risks may include weight, inherited gene mutations or tall adult height. Learn about other possible risks for prostate cancer and ask your doctor questions about risks.
2) Myth: Prostate cancer is always fatal.
Fact: The death rate for prostate cancer has been declining since 1995, partly because of improved treatments made possible by cancer research. It is estimated that about 1 in 8 Canadian men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 30 will die from it.
When prostate cancer is caught early, nearly 100% of men diagnosed will survive at least 5 years. But if it’s caught late, 5-year survival drops to 41%. That’s why prostate cancer screening is so important. Learn more about finding prostate cancer early.
3) Myth: A high PSA level means you have prostate cancer.
Fact: A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of a protein made by prostate cells in the blood. A PSA test is often used to find prostate cancer early.
PSA levels can be high for different reasons. It doesn’t always mean you have prostate cancer. PSA levels naturally go up with age. A higher-than-normal level may be caused by several factors, such as an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH, a urinary tract infection, an inflamed or infected prostate, sexual activity that includes ejaculation, or a recent medical test or procedure on the prostate.4) Myth: Treatments for prostate cancer cause the loss of your sex life.
Fact: It’s common for prostate cancer treatments to cause changes in a person’s sex life, such as a lower sex drive or erectile dysfunction. Some changes may be short term and others long term but it doesn’t mean that this part of your life will be over. Your healthcare team can help you manage any challenges.
Urologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, family doctors or other specialists may be able to help with sexual problems.
For more information, read our resource on sex, intimacy and cancer.
5) Myth: Treatment will cause permanent loss of bladder control.
Fact: While bladder issues are a common side effect of surgery, radiation and the cancer itself, there are ways to manage urinary incontinence. Any treatment that removes the prostate or destroys the prostate tissue can affect urination. In some cases, this can be permanent. In others, it may be temporary, lasting a few weeks to a few months.
Your healthcare team can help you manage any bladder issues. Some ways may include bladder training and exercises, medicines, medical devices or surgery.
6) Myth: Prostate cancer shows signs or symptoms.
7) Myth: Prostate cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage.
8) Myth: BPH increases your risk for developing prostate cancer.
9) Myth: Surgery is the best treatment for prostate cancer.
Fact: Your healthcare team will create a treatment plan that will depend on your health, specific information about the cancer and personal factors. Other treatments for prostate cancer can include radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy.
When deciding which treatments to offer for prostate cancer, your healthcare team will consider factors such as the type and stage of the cancer and possible side effects of treatments.
Help change the future of prostate cancer
Because prostate cancer is one of the least preventable cancers, research advancements are needed to save more lives. This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, join the Canadian Cancer Society in funding world-leading research to improve early detection, treatment and support.