BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Former President Joe Biden was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Between 2015 and 2019, the Mountain State reported more than 6,000 cases of the disease.
Prostate cancer disproportionately affects certain groups. Older men (over 65), those of African American descent, and with a close familial link (father/brother). The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk men start screening at age 50, and age 45 for those at high risk of developing the disease.
“It’s recommended that prostate cancer screening stop at about age 70,” said Beckley ARH Hematologist-Oncologist Dr. Odeth Barrett-Campbell. “But the decision to continue beyond that age should be discussed with your primary care provider and should always focus on what your risk factors are.”
Generally, a slow-growing cancer, up to 80 percent of patients are diagnosed in the localized stage, and are asymptomatic.
“A small percentage of patients may present with advanced disease, i.e., having spread to distant organs,” Barrett-Campbell said.
According to the oncologist, occasionally prostate cancer may present with lower urinary tract symptoms.
“Difficulty voiding, dribbling at the end of the urine stream, or sometimes hematuria (blood in the urine),” she said.
The standard diagnostic tool is the PSA blood test or rectal exam to identify abnormal structures, nodules, or asymmetry of the prostate gland.
“Prostate Specific Antigen may be elevated not only in the case of cancer, but in non-cancerous conditions,” said Barrett-Campbell. “The PSA is not usually sufficient to meet the cancer diagnosis alone and should be followed with a biopsy of the prostate gland.”
If prostate cancer is found in a biopsy sample, then the pathologist will assign it a grade.
“Gleason score is a very important factor in predicting how aggressive one’s cancer is and determining the best treatment option,” the oncologist said.
Men’s risk of prostate cancer varies.
“And not all men with prostate cancer need to be treated,” said Barrett-Campbell. “If diagnosed in the early stage, you can often be watched with active surveillance.”
The oncologist also recommends adopting a healthier lifestyle and avoiding tobacco and alcohol use.
With timely detection, prostate cancer is generally curable.
“Which highlights the need to have discussions with your primary care provider about when to do PSA screening based on your risk factors and personal preferences,” Barrett-Campbell said.
