How Worried Should You be about Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer for men, but how to deal with it and what it involves remains unclear for many. It is a cancer specifically of the prostate gland, a gland associated with producing fluid for semen that also affects the flow of urine. Prostate cancer becomes increasingly common in men as they age, so much so that as men reach their 90s it is more common than not.

For some, that means it isn’t serious and they don’t believe it to be a concern, but the reality is very different according to Dr. Steven Curran, a primary care provider with Washington Health Medical Group. “It can affect men as young as 40 and becomes more common as they age. Symptoms can be deceiving because they are very similar to prostate enlargement. But like any cancer, it can be very dangerous if cells grow unchecked and spread to other parts of the body. It can destroy your quality of life or lead to premature death,” he explains.

Dr. Curran grew up in Nebraska where he completed his undergraduate training at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He received his medical degree from Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Missouri, and completed his residency at the Family Practice Center, East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He is board certified in Family Practice. Dr. Curran has been practicing in Fremont and Newark since 1990.

The signs of prostate cancer, while similar to those of an enlarged prostate, include issues with urine flow and blood in the urine or semen; however, it can also be present without symptoms. Dr. Curran notes that risk factors for prostate cancer include a family history of prostate cancer, age, and ethnic background — with African Americans being much more prone to the disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will get prostate cancer at some point, with the average age of initial diagnosis about 67. While prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men, the death rate from prostate cancer is declining because of advances in prostate cancer screening.

In his experience, the particular challenge with prostate cancer is identifying the clinically significant forms of cancer at the right time and then doing the right intervention. For example, if a man in his 90s develops a slow-growing prostate cancer, the cancer would have no significant impact on his quality of life or life expectancy. His physician would monitor the cancer. Whereas, if a younger man developed the same cancer, the impact to his quality of life would be much more significant and a different course of treatment would be needed.

Fortunately, modern screening techniques are straightforward, using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Men should discuss their need for screening with their physician starting at age 50. There are other, more complete tests that can be performed, but he says the PSA test is a great first step. Advanced imaging techniques, such as multiparametric MRI, are now being used to improve the accuracy of prostate cancer diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. There are a range of treatment options available.

Dr. Curran stresses the importance of dispelling the notion that men can simply ignore prostate cancer. He points out that it is common for men to put off or ignore prioritizing their health, and cautions men and their loved ones that this is a case where being proactive can definitely pay off. “Testing makes sense. It changes outcomes. I encourage people to learn more and understand more.”

For more information on Dr. Curran, visit https://www.mywtmf.com/find-a-doctor/steven-a-curran-md/