Cancer is characterized as the uncontrolled proliferation of cells that result in the growth of tumors; over time, the cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can start anywhere in the human body.
In a normal human body, human cells will grow and multiply to form new cells when the body needs them. As the cell becomes old or damaged, they will die, and new cells will be created to take its place. However, sometimes this process malfunctions, resulting in the growth or multiplication of cells when there shouldn’t be any. These cells may eventually form a lump of tissue known as a tumor, which can be either cancerous or non-cancerous.
According to the Singapore Cancer Society prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Singaporean man. 6,912 cases have been diagnosed between 2017 to 2021, accounting for 16.8% of all male cancers in Singapore.
We sit down with Urologist Dr. Lee Fang Jann to look at the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, what screenings are available to help detect the cancer early, what you could possibly do to lower your risk of developing this cancer, and more.
Prostate Cancer Prostate is the most common cancer among Singaporean men, accounting for 18% of all cancers diagnosed in men. It happens when cancer cells form in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland located between the penis and bladder. Prostate cancer may be difficult to detect in its early stages, as it does not present any symptoms. It also shares similar symptoms with benign prostate hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
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Prostate cancer incidences strongly increase with age, particularly among older men between the ages of 70–74. In addition, while high dietary intake of dairy products and meat has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, it has been noted that frequent consumption of tomatoes, cruciferous vegetables, and soy foods may provide protection against prostate cancer.
Although there is currently no standard or routine screening tests, there are tests that can be performed to screen for the possibility of prostate cancer.
Digital Rectal Exam: It involves your doctor or nurse feeling your prostate through the lower part of your rectum to see if you might have a prostate problem or prostate cancer.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Test: A Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA in your blood. PSA is a substance produced by the prostate that may be found in elevated levels in men with prostate cancer. However, a high level of PSA may also be a sign of benign prostate hyperplasia or an infection or inflammation of the prostate.
According to Dr. Lee Fang Jann, screening for prostate cancer is recommended in men aged 50 and above.
“However, for those at higher risk, screening may start as early as age 40 or 45,” he adds. “It’s important to have a conversation with your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of screening, as overdiagnosis and overtreatment can be concerns.”
There are often no noticeable signs of early-stage prostate cancer hence, as Dr. Lee explains, why screening is so important. “In some cases, men may experience urinary symptoms such as difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, or frequent urination, but these are more commonly caused by non-cancerous conditions like BPH,” Dr. Lee explains.
If any abnormalities are found during the screening, further diagnostic tests such as a prostate biopsy or advanced imaging may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for your prostate cancer will depend on several factors, such as how fast it is growing and whether it has spread to other parts of your body.
For men low-risk prostate cancer, you may not need to be treated right away. Instead, your doctor may recommend active surveillance to monitor the prostate cancer and treat it only if there are signs of it progressing. This is due to the fact that low-risk prostate cancer often grows very slowly or doesn't grow at all, so treatment often isn’t needed.
Other treatment options include surgery to remove the prostate gland, sometimes through minimally invasive methods such as the Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, which according to Dr. Lee, “offers greater precision and faster recovery times.”
