Q&A with Urologist Dr. Ramon Perez (NAPSA)—If you don’t know what your prostate is or whatit does, you’re certainly not alone. Most men don’t. But with 30 million men suffering from prostate conditions that negatively affect their lives, it’s critical that men become familiar with the symp- quickly in a doctor’s office, using two tests: the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). The PSA looks for a protein in the toms, screenings and treatment options as they relate to the prostate. Here, Dr. Ramon Perez, President of At Your Service Urology and Medical Director of Crite- rion Research in Florida, details what you need to know about prostate awareness. What Is The Prostate Gland? The prostate, a part of the male reproductive system, is about the size and shape of a walnut. It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, and surrounds the urethra, the tube-like structure that carries urine from the bladder out throughthe penis. The main function of the prostate is to produce ejaculatory fluid. WhatIs Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second-leading killer of men behind lung cancer. Prostate cancer is a malignant growth of the prostate and may spread throughout and beyond the gland as cancer cells grow. Prostate cancer is generally a slow-growing disease and at an early stage is confined to the prostate gland. What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer? In its early stages, prostate cancer has no apparent symptoms. If the cancer is caughtearly, men may not experience any symptoms. Later on, symptoms mayinclude a needto urinate frequently, especially at night; diffi- Men should talk to their doctors to understand treatment options for prostate cancer. culty starting urination or holding it back; weak or interrupted flow of urine; painful or burning urina- tion; difficulty in having an erec- tion; painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; or frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips or upperthighs. What Are The Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer? The older you are, the higher the risk of developing prostate cancer. Sixty-five percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 65. Race and family history also play a part. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in Caucasian men. African-American men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. Men who havea close relative with prostate cancer are at a higherrisk. Diet and lifestyle may also have aneffect. How Is Prostate Cancer Detected? Screening for cancer can detect prostate cancer at an early stage before symptoms develop. Screening can be performed blood that increases as prostate cancer develops. The DREprovides the doctor the opportunity to assess the size, shape and texture of the prostate. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommendsboth tests for men 50 and older. Men at high risk should begin testing at age 45. Each man should talk to his doctor about the best time to be screened. What Are The Treatments For Prostate Cancer? There are different ways to treat prostate cancer and the options should be discussed with prostate cancer specialists. Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. Testosterone stimulates the growth of prostate cancercells. The role of hormonal therapyis to lower the body’s level of male hormones and thereby shrink or slow down the growth of prostate tumors—mostof the body’s testosterone is made by the testicles. Eligard (leuprolide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. In the United States, Eligard is available in one-month (7.5-mg), three-month (22.5-mg), four-month (30-mg) and six-month (45-mg) extended-release formulations. Prostate awareness is important to men; if you experience any of these symptoms, please talk to your doctor. For more information, log on to www.prostatedisease.org. Note to Editors: Important Information about Eligard Eligard should not be used by women, children or anyone whois allergic to the drug leuprolide acetate or any of the ingredients of Eligard. Eligard, like other drugs in its class, causes a temporary increase in testosterone during the first week of treatment. Patients may experience worsening of symptoms or new symptoms during the first weeks of treatment, including bone pain, nerve damage, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating. The most common side effects are hot flashes, injection site pain (including burning andstinging), fatigue, and testicular atrophy. Please see accompanying US Package Insert, or for additional copies of the package insert, please log on to wuww.eligard.com or call 1-800-633-1610 (option 1) or talk to your doctor. Editor’s note: Package insert attached.
