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Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in men in the U.S., with about 1 in 8 men getting diagnosed in their lifetime. The risk of prostate cancer increases as men age, with the majority of cases found in men older than 65. Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, now is a great time to take a few minutes to learn the facts behind some common myths about prostate cancer. Read on to understand the risks, treatment options and when to take action.
Myth 1: Those without symptoms or a family connection to the disease are unlikely to have prostate cancer.
For many men, prostate cancer often has no signs or symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to self-detect. While a family connection does increase one’s risk for prostate cancer, there are several other factors that can make a man more prone to the disease, including age. Prostate cancer can also occur more often in Black men than in people of other races and ethnicities.
Myth 2: Prostate cancer grows slowly, so it’s fine to skip annual screenings.
Prostate cancer is treatable when detected early, with a five-year survival rate of nearly 100 percent, so regular screenings are imperative. Men with an average risk of prostate cancer should begin regular screenings at age 50, while men at a higher risk, including Black men, men with a family history of prostate cancer or those with certain genetic mutations, are recommended to start as early as age 40.
Myth 3: Surgery is the only treatment option following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
There are several approaches to treat prostate cancer depending on its stage and patient preferences for treatment. Options for prostate cancer treatment can include active surveillance — or “watch and wait” — for low-grade cancers. In other instances, doctors may recommend surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drug therapy or radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is a common treatment approach, with over 60,000 U.S. men opting for this option to treat their prostate cancer every year as an alternative to surgery.
Myth 4: Radiation therapy will cause side effects like rectal bleeding.
Like any option to treat prostate cancer, radiation therapy can cause unwanted side effects, which vary for each patient. Some common side effects are urinary or bowel leakage, diminished erectile function or damage to the rectum and surrounding organs due to their proximity to the prostate. For some patients, there are options available that may help minimize the side effects of radiation therapy, such as SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel.
SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) based hydrogel that temporarily creates a small amount of space between the prostate and the rectum, which helps reduce radiation side effects, including minimizing radiation damage to the rectum. A health care professional can place SpaceOAR Hydrogel during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure in an office, hospital, clinic or surgery center.
As with any medical treatment, there are some risks involved with the use of SpaceOAR Hydrogel. Talk to your doctor about what screening and treatment options are best for you. Learn more about the benefits and risks of SpaceOAR Hydrogel and find a doctor here.
Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. This material is for informational purposes only and not meant for medical diagnosis. This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, and Boston Scientific makes no representation regarding the medical benefits included in this information. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health.
