These are the most common statements made about prostate cancer and someare not true. Read the correct explanation. "Prostate cancer is a disease of the elderly man" Myth To know: Although the risk of developing prostate cancer increases significantly after 50 years of age, this disease can appear at younger ages. Younger patients are those who have most benefit of the curative therapeutic approaches. "Having an increased PSA (prostate specific antigen) means having prostate cancer" Myth To know: PSA is a protein produced by the prostate (which is a gland) that may increase in several situations other than prostate cancer, like: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a benign growth of the prostate; Prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate; Trauma to the prostate. To have a correct diagnosis of an increase in PSA value, it is essential to have a medical evaluation . "Having family members with the disease increases the risk of developing prostate cancer" Truth To know: Heredity is one of the risk factors for this disease. Therefore, men who have cases of prostate cancer in the family should consult a urologist from the age of 45, if there is nothing suggest a need to do so before. "Having low PSA values is a sign of not having prostate cancer" Myth To know: There may be prostate cancer without PSA values increase. The disease is estimated to occur in up to 25% of men with normal PSA levels. "Prostate cancer has symptoms, so we just need to know it and go to the urologist if they appear" Myth To know: In its early stages of development , when the likelihood of a cure is very high (85% -95% of cases), prostate cancer has no symptoms . Generally, the presence of prostate-related symptoms is related to benign prostatic hyperplasia and the effects that the growth of this organ has on neighboring organs (the bladder and urethra) such as: More frequent need to urinate; Weak urinary stream; Urgency to urinate. "Black people are at higher risk of developing the disease" Truth To know: Race is also a risk factor for the development of prostate cancer and several studies have confirmed that black men have a higher risk of developing the disease. "All prostate cancer patients need treatment" Myth To know: The decision on the most appropriate treatment to be performed depends on the stage of the disease (staging), the patient preferences and the average life expectancy. In cases of low-grade prostate cancer, the option of active surveillance can be considered, in which the evolution of the disease is monitored, intervening if it progresses, maintaining the same change for cure. "Treatment of prostate cancer is always surgical" Myth To know: In localized prostate cancer, therapeutic options for curative purposes include, in addition to radical prostate surgery (radical prostatectomy), radiation procedures, such as: External radiation therapy; Prostate brachytherapy. "Treatment of prostate cancer causes impotence" Myth To know: More than half of patients with a good sexual performance before treatment will perform well after prostate cancer therapy. Others may have moderate to severe erectile dysfunction and with therapeutic assistance they can recover their sexual activity. The factors related to a poor prognosis for the occurrence of erectile dysfunction after treatment for prostate cancer are: Age; Sexual performance previously affected; Treatment option chosen, that is, the specific risks of each treatment and / or the experience of the professionals involved in that treatment. The physicians of the urology service at Hospital da Luz Setúbal also collaborated in this text. Meet the urology team of the Hospital da Luz network and make and your appointment . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
