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Prostate cancer is a common malignancy that affects the prostate glands of the male reproductive system. The affected glands are located just below the bladder, next to the urethra, but the cancerous cells can spread to other body parts like the lymph nodes and bone tissues. Prostate cancer has gained significant attention over the past years due to its high prevalence and alarming mortality rates. Although prostate cancer is curable at its early stages, medical practitioners experience limitations with its early detection as most individuals are not aware of its risk factors or its manifestation and do not practice routine medical check-ups. As a result, the disease keeps ravaging communities, allowing it to become a major cause of premature deaths. The following paper discusses various aspects of the condition, suggesting that creating awareness about the disease can significantly minimize severe cases and aid in its eradication.

Background of the Disease

Prostate cancer is also known as ‘Carcinoma of the Prostate’ and it starts when cells in the prostate glands develop an abnormality that allows them to grow out of control. Although most complications in the male reproductive system are easy to detect and rectify, the position and size of the prostate glands make it difficult to note the illness at its initial stages. In addition, the condition is rare in individuals between 30 to 40 years old. Instead, it mostly affects old-aged individuals, thus encouraging a culture of negligence among the youth and young adults (Pernar et al., 2018). Prostate cancer was first identified as an ailment in 1853 and was considered a rare disease because of its low life expectancy and insufficient detection methods, which only allowed its diagnosis after long periods of advancement. In the 20^th century, prostate cancer can be identified using non-invasive techniques that detect tumor cells. Additionally, clinicians can apply molecular tests that investigate the presence of PCA3 mRNA, which is presumed to be over-expressed in the existing prostate cancer cells (Teo et al., 2019). Although prostate cancer generally affects the prostate glands, it showcases several signs and symptoms that have adverse implications on people’s life quality.

The Effects of the Condition on the Human Body

Prostate cancer has long and short-term effects on the body which may be difficult to notice unless they significantly interfere with an individual’s lifestyle. Initially, prostate cancer does not have effects on body functions. However, it generally interferes with the functions of the reproductive system and leads to frequent urination, blood in the urine, weak and interrupted urine flows, pain and burning during urination, and increased discomfort. Even so, one of the most common implications of prostate cancer in the human body is erectile dysfunction (Merriel et al., 2018). The nerves responsible for erectile responses are located proximal to the prostate glands. Therefore, a tumor and associated complications can interfere with their mechanisms, thus limiting their ability to achieve or sustain an erection. Subsequently, dealing with the condition and taking erectile dysfunction medication can adversely impact a person’s life quality.

Prostate cancer can also lead to incontinence, which refers to an individual’s inability to control their urinary bladder. A prostate cancer patient with urinary incontinence may leak urine occasionally and cannot control when they urinate. The effect is due to the destruction of the muscles and nerves that control urinary functions. Prostate cancer also results in metastasis, which is a condition that occurs when malignant cells spread from the prostate glands to other body parts and organs. Metastasis is an abnormality that advances through the lymph system, the blood, or tissues (Oliveira et al., 2019). Thus, it puts critical body organs including the nervous system, bladder, spinal cord, and bones at risk of harboring these cancer cells. Although there is limited evidence of the impact of prostate cancer on the brain, clinicians suggest that these cells can spread and interfere with the brain. That being said, seeking early interventions can help limit adverse outcomes.

When cancerous cells due to prostate cancer spread to other regions of the body, they might lead to complications that include severe pain, weak bones, stiffness in the thighs, hips, or back, weakness in the legs and arms, and fatigue. Prostate cancer can also result in hypercalcemia, a condition characterized by higher-than-normal calcium levels in the body. In addition, it can cause spinal cord compression, which manifests into muscle weakness and bowel incontinence (Grossman et al., 2018). However, most of the conditions that arise from prostate cancer are manageable using injectable medicine and drugs like bisphosphonates. Prostate cancer can gradually deteriorate an individual’s health status and prevent them from engaging in essential activities. Ultimately, the condition leads to death as it becomes increasingly difficult to manage its effects when it progresses. Nevertheless, the treatment and management period can present several issues to individuals and their families.

The Implications of the Disease on the Life Quality of its Victims

Prostate cancer negatively impacts its victims as it limits their comfort and obligates them to alter their life practices to fit the condition’s management. Nevertheless, the disease does not only have a health impact as it interferes with all other aspects of human life. For example, an individual suffering from prostate cancer administers various drugs to curb its spread, most of which have unpleasant side effects (Oliveira et al., 2019). Additionally, these individuals suffer through financial constraints associated with occasionally seeking medical attention, chemotherapy, and cancer drugs that are very costly. Moreover, prostate cancer affects an individual’s social life as they cannot perform normal activities like healthy individuals. Therefore, most of them experience loneliness and suffer the pain of broken relationships, thus interfering with their life satisfaction.

Prostate cancer also has mental and physical implications on its victims, which expose them to other life conditions. For instance, an individual suffering from the latter stages of the condition might become a burden to family members who are obligated to sacrifice their time and money to provide the patient with a peaceful death (Owoo et al., 2022). In addition, these patients may lack the enthusiasm or ability to spend time with their loved ones or friends, which is detrimental to their emotional stability. These factors, jointly, can expose a person suffering from prostate cancer to aggravated stress, depression, and anxiety that affect their mental status. Moreover, these individuals may lose the motivation to engage in active treatment, especially if these issues come in between their personal and family relationships (Teo et al., 2019). As a result, the disease can substantially erode its victim’s living standards, comfort, life quality, and satisfaction.

Types of Prostate Cancers

There are various types of prostate cancer depending on how abnormal the malignant cells look, their ability to spread, and their size. However, adenocarcinoma is the most common type as it is diagnosed in almost every individual with the disease. Adenocarcinoma growths can form on any organ in the body. Particularly, they occur in the glandular epithelial cells lining the interior of organs. In the prostate, this type of malignancy is also known as glandular prostate cancer (Wedge et al., 2018). Adenocarcinoma is also divided into sub-types that include acinar adenocarcinoma or conventional adenocarcinoma and prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Acinar adenocarcinoma accounts for most prostate cancer manifestations. Cancer cells associated with this type of growth start developing at the back of the prostate and can be felt near the rectum (Merriel et al., 2018). Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma or PDA is rare but more aggressive than acinar adenocarcinoma. This type develops in cells lining the ducts and tubes of the prostate glands. Moreover, these cancers develop individually but can both manifest in particular prostate cancer cases.

Although there are several other types of prostate cancer, they are rare since many individuals are diagnosed with adenocarcinomas. Nevertheless, some known types include urothelial cancer or Transitional cell carcinoma, which start from the urethra and gradually spread to the prostate. Carcinoids or neuroendocrine tumors are another type of prostate cancer that does not produce PSA and might appear in glands and nerve cells that produce hormones and release them into the bloodstream. Small cell carcinoma is another type of prostate neuroendocrine cancer that is aggressive and develops in small round cells in the body (Wedge et al., 2018). Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare form of prostate cancer that begins in the flat cell and spreads rapidly to the prostate glands. Finally, prostate sarcoma or soft-tissue prostate cancer forms outside the glands and in muscles, nerves, and soft tissues around the prostate. Although some prostate cancer types are lethal and spread fast, other types do not affect an individual. Hence, it is critical to investigate the type of prostate cancer in individuals and its levels of severity to deliver the best possible care.

Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer

All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer at any time in their life cycle. Although there are limited prostate cancer cases in children, scientists reveal that small boys are also at risk of developing the disease as they are exposed to its risk factors. The three established risk factors of prostate carcinoma include age, genetics, and ethnicity. A majority of individuals diagnosed with the condition are older than 65 years. Nevertheless, prostate cancer can also affect younger people, especially those between 30 to 40 years (Pernar et al., 2018). Moreover, researchers point to genetic and ethnic factors as studies show significant variations across these components. Even so, these attributes are non-modifiable, meaning that individuals should adopt alternative solutions to limit being affected by the illness. Scientists also suggest that a person’s diet, level of physical activity, and lifestyle attributes are associated with prostate cancer as some habits facilitate the development of malignant growths in the body system (Oliveira et al., 2019). Thus, familiarizing with these factors can help develop comprehensive approaches to reduce its cases and implications.

Genetic Components and Unusual Factors of Prostate Cancer

Although prostate cancer generally occurs in individuals without a family history of the disease, clinicians suggest that several inherited gene mutations can increase an individual’s risk of developing the condition. For example, inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, known to increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in women are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Similarly, a man born with Lynch syndrome is at an increased risk of suffering from various cancers, including prostate cancer (Pernar et al., 2018). The genetic components of prostate cancer are also associated with family background, race, and specific gene changes. People with first-degree relatives, who include a father or brother, diagnosed with prostate cancer as twice more likely to suffer from the disease than people without a history of the ailment in their family (Wedge et al., 2018). However, research suggests that the risks of prostate cancer are significant in individuals with brothers diagnosed with the illness. In addition, studies suggest that prostate cancer in the US affects black men more than Hispanic or White individuals. Thus, most researchers conclude that genetic factors play a major role in the development and advancement of prostate cancer.

The Factors that Differentiate Prostate Cancer from other Disease Conditions

Cancerous cells in the body, tumors, or malignant growths are critical disease conditions that severely affect body functions and interfere with normal living. However, one aspect of prostate cancer that is unusual in several other cancerous ailments is its lack of signs and symptoms, especially at the initial stages, making it extremely difficult to detect and treat on time. Research studies conducted on individuals’ autopsies revealed that a considerable number of old-aged men and the youth who died from other reasons had prostate cancer (Teo et al., 2019). In some cases, tumors due to prostate cancer spread slowly and may not cause adverse reactions in the body for years. Therefore, its implications are never noticed until it is too late and impossible to cure. Despite its slow manifestation and high mortality rates, prostate cancer is curable using several treatment solutions that can eliminate all abnormal cells. Researchers suggest that more than 95% of cases detected when the cancer is still confined to the glands respond well to treatment (Merriel et al., 2018). Therefore, creating awareness about its existence can help potential victims and other individuals to become proactive against the disease.

Current Prostate Cancer Statistics

Prostate cancer is gradually becoming a critical public health issue because of the growing number of affected individuals and its high incidence rates. Prostate carcinoma is currently the second most common type of cancer in the US after skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 268,490 new cases and 34,500 were recorded at the beginning of 2022 (Giaquinto et al., 2022). Studies suggest that one out of eight men in America is likely to be diagnosed with the condition throughout their lifetime (Schatten, 2018). However, about six out of ten cases occur in older men more than 65 years while men under 40 register the lowest rates. Nevertheless, the number of black individuals with the condition is significantly higher than whites and Hispanic, with the median age of infection estimated at 66 years old (Giaquinto et al., 2022). Research also reveals that about 50% of individuals diagnosed with the illness live with it until it reaches the metastatic stage. Even so, many individuals are diagnosed with the illness after it surpasses its initial stages.

Despite its high mortality rates, individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer can live a long and healthy life after the diagnosis. The American Cancer Society suggests that at its initial stages, individuals have a 100% chance of surviving for five years. Subsequently, the condition has a 99% survival rate at 10 years and a 94% survival rate at 15 years (Schatten, 2018). Therefore, men with prostate cancer have a high chance of surviving the disease and living a normal life. Currently, prostate cancer has the highest rate of curability compared to other cancers due to advanced detection mechanisms. More than 90% of cases detected early are treatable using both invasive and non-invasive techniques like chemotherapy. Treatments using radiosurgery therapies generally take less than a week and a patient can resume normal activities as soon as they recover. Still, the condition records high mortality rates because people do not discover the disease and do not seek treatment early.

Why Prostate Cancer is a Condition that Warrants Attention

Compared to other cancer types like breast cancer in women, prostate cancer is an illness that received little recognition even though it is curable and manageable at its initial stages. Prostate cancer is a condition that affects most individuals during their old age. As a result, it is occasionally characterized as a disease that manifests due to deteriorated body functions. Still, researchers suggest that several factors come into play to cause the condition. In other words, anyone can get prostate cancer and live with it throughout their lives, only to suffer at its later stages. Consequently, many prostate cancer victims live a poor life quality because of neglecting simple mitigation strategies (Pernar et al., 2018). Since many individuals are unaware of the disease, its manifestation, and its implications, medical practitioners should take initiative and establish programs to limit its incidence and prevalence.

Healthcare systems in the 21^st century are designed and advised to adopt preventive rather than treatment solutions to curb community health issues. Thus, prostate cancer is a condition that medical institutions should prioritize since its adversities outweigh the efforts required to prevent its development. Nurses, clinicians, and public health practitioners must identify easily manageable illnesses and prevent them from interfering with individuals’ well-being (Teo et al., 2019). Therefore, they should acknowledge the existence of prostate cancer and its adverse implications on the community to encourage goal formulation toward its eradication. The ultimate solution to completely counter the ailment is creating awareness and making diagnosis solutions more accessible to encourage occasional evaluation and assessment.

Conclusion

Carcinoma of the prostate is an abnormality that manifests in the prostate glands when cells grow beyond their normal size. Although most prostate malignant growth only affects the glands, some types can spread to other body organs and significantly interfere with an individual’s life. The most common implications of prostate cancer include erectile dysfunction and urinary inconsistency. However, prostate cancer can also interfere with other bowel functions and result in a lot of pain and discomfort. Nevertheless, the condition results in social, financial, and emotional issues that interfere with its management and the healing process. Although prostate cancer records high mortality rates, the disease is highly curable. Still, this is only possible at its initial stages before it reaches the metastasis stage. Even so, a majority of cases are never discovered until they exasperate due to a lack of awareness and the lack of supportive frameworks. As a result, the condition requires much recognition because it causes a lot of suffering when it is easily manageable.

References

Giaquinto, A. N., Miller, K. D., Tossas, K. Y., Winn, R. A., Jemal, A., & Siegel, R. L. (2022). Cancer statistics for African American/Black People 2022.CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 72(3), 202-229.

Grossman, D. C., Curry, S. J., Owens, D. K., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Caughey, A. B., Davidson, K. W.,… & US Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Screening for prostate cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement.Jama, 319(18), 1901-1913.

Merriel, S. W., Funston, G., & Hamilton, W. (2018). Prostate cancer in primary care.Advances in therapy, 35(9), 1285-1294.

Oliveira, P. S. D., de Miranda, S. V. C., Barbosa, H. A., da Rocha, R. M. B., Rodrigues, A. B., & da Silva, V. M. (2019). Prostate cancer: knowledge and interference in the promotion and prevention of the disease. Enfermeria Global, 18(2), 274-284.

Owoo, B., Ninnoni, J. P., Ampofo, E. A., & Seidu, A. A. (2022). Challenges encountered by family caregivers of prostate cancer patients in Cape Coast, Ghana: a descriptive phenomenological study. BMC palliative care, 21(1), 1-11.

Pernar, C. H., Ebot, E. M., Wilson, K. M., & Mucci, L. A. (2018). The epidemiology of prostate cancer.Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 8(12), a030361.

Schatten, H. (2018). Brief overview of prostate cancer statistics, grading, diagnosis and treatment strategies. Cell & Molecular Biology of Prostate Cancer, 1-14.

Teo, M. Y., Rathkopf, D. E., & Kantoff, P. (2019). Treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Annual review of medicine, 70, 479.

Wedge, D. C., Gundem, G., Mitchell, T., Woodcock, D. J., Martincorena, I., Ghori, M.,… & Eeles, R. A. (2018). Sequencing of prostate cancers identifies new cancer genes, routes of progression and drug targets. Nature genetics, 50(5), 682-692.

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