DID you know that 99 per cent of Prostate Cancer sufferers didn’t experience any symptoms?

On the prostate cancer journey with her husband, Susie Malcolm was eager to spread the word “that men can have it, and not know it!”

It was only after a routine health check, which included a blood test for Prostate Specific Antigen and other tests that the issue was discovered.

Now on a mission to get more men checked, Susie instigated the Prostate Awareness Evening at the Carmichael Room, at City Memorial Bowls Club in Warrnambool on Tuesday March 12. The night was well attended and appreciated by all.

Speakers included Bridget Hill- Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, who presented on ‘What is the Prostate and how it functions.’

So, what is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland (about the size of a walnut). It sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum and close to nerves, blood vessels and muscles that control erections and bladder function.

What does the prostate do?

The prostate produces fluid that helps to feed and protect sperm, and forms part of semen. Semen contains sperm and fluid made by a pair of glands called seminal vesicles, which attach to the back of the prostate gland. Lymph nodes are also found near the prostate.

How does the prostate grow?

The hormone testosterone controls how the prostate grows - it is normal for the prostate to become larger with age. This may lead to a condition known as benign prostate hyperplasia - which can cause problems passing urine.

What is prostate cancer and who gets it?

Prostate cancer begins when abnormal cells in the prostate gland start growing in an uncontrolled way. Some prostate cancer can grow slowly but some prostate cancer can grow and spread quickly.

Anyone with a prostate can get prostate cancer. Your risk of getting prostate cancer increases with age, there is a link with family history of prostate cancer – if you have a father, OR brother who have had prostate cancer, then your risk doubles. If you have both, then your risk is five-fold!

If you have any symptoms at all – blood in the urine, blood in semen, urinary urgency – but remember 99 per cent of prostate cancer sufferers say they had no symptoms – get checked.

Let’s start with a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test.

Ask your doctor to include a PSA test with your next health check. Prostate specific antigen is a protein made by both normal prostate cells and cancerous prostate cells – it does not specifically check for cancer. If the PSA is higher than the typical range for your age or rising quickly, this may indicate cancer. It is always a good idea to have a baseline reading to compare with future test results. Note. PSA test results can be influenced by sexual activity (please refrain for 3 days prior to testing), infection or a recent digital examination.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men. Around 70 men are diagnosed every day or 26,000 Australians every year - with prostate cancer.

Ron Hose is currently on the prostate cancer journey and has had radiation therapy. Mr Hose spoke about his journey, which started about 30 years ago in his 40’s, with slight elevations in his PSA levels – from that point forward, Ron has had regular monitoring.

Around five years ago, Rons levels had increased to a point where intervention became necessary – and he has undergone radiation treatment. Ron openly discussed some of the issues that have followed treatment and has found a great deal of support from both the cancer clinic and the Warrnambool prostate support group.

Gabrielle Watt spoke on the Clinical Trials Unit and they work. Patients can apply to be part of those programs when they are running.

Alan Barlee spoke about the importance of support. That support includes peer group, follow sufferers and normalising men’s mental health and issues following treatment. These support groups offer a pathway to other allied health professionals – you are not alone on the journey, its about getting you physically and mentally well and back into life.

Stu Willder - Nurse practitioner Men’s Health/Urology, spoke on ‘when the dust settles.’ So, the surgery or radiation has taken place - where do we go from here and what can I expect?

The very first thing Mr Willder pointed out is, “Not all prostate cancers are the same. So, when you compare your journey with someone else’s - Bill’s journey will not be the same as Fred’s!” All prostate cancers differ from person to person and the treatments will differ too. Some cancers are picked up early, some are picked up late. Some cancers are more aggressive than others. So, the journey may be similar to some but not the same. While it is great to have support and empathy from others on the journey - you should not compare.

Mr Willder spent some time discussing the options - surgery, radiation, hormone treatment and the side effects - and there will be side effects! Of course, the first step is to save your life!

Again, it was emphasised that all cases are different, but the most common side effects are incontinence and erectile dysfunction - which can be temporary, but the mental and emotional trauma will also need addressing.

Mr Willder explained that prostate cancer is a journey that includes wives or partners. There will be changes in relationships, and there is support to work through them. 

The evening concluded with a question-and-answer session.

If you are looking for further information after reading this article, you could contact the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia on 1800 22 00 99 or check the PCFA website

Ultimately, being informed is the key to survival - please get tested.