Prostate Cancer Health Video

Video Transcript

JOHN F. WARD, MD: My name is Dr. John Ward and I am from the Department of Urology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson and today we are going to talk about prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a disease primarily of aging males. It generally occurs in the 50- and 60-year-old age group but can be seen as early as 40 years olds and as late as 80 years old. There are no symptoms associated with prostate cancer. Most prostate cancer is diagnosed these days because of an elevated PSA test or an abnormal digital rectal examination. The use of PSA screening in the United States has resulted in a decrease in the stage of which the disease is diagnosed, so that we're seeing more and more prostate cancer diagnosed earlier and earlier. There are multiple treatments for prostate cancer and most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer in an early stage of the disease have a plethora of options that often times makes it very confusing to decide just what is the right treatment. These treatments vary from active surveillance which is what we used to term "watchful waiting" but now involves a more active re-biopsying of the prostate, radical prostatectomy which can be performed through any of a number of different manners, radiation therapy which again can be delivered through any of a number of different types of manners, or cryotherapy. There is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer. Most likely, a heart-healthy diet is also a prostate-healthy diet. Many studies have looked at low fat, use of tomato-based products, soy products in trying to help prevent prostate cancer, and even a study of looking at finasteride to prevent prostate cancer. All of these are controversial and it can best be said that if you maintain a healthy heart, you are probably also maintaining a healthy prostate.