Reducing Uncertainty Around themost Common Cancer in Canadian men
Taking early action against prostate cancer could prolong thousands of lives
In 2017, 62-year-old Raymond Goyer’s family doctor noticed some abnormal results from his prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, test and referred him to a urologist for further investigation.
Prostate-specific antigen is a protein made by the prostate. It’s normal to see small amounts of PSA in the blood, and some men have higher levels with no cause for concern. However, rising PSA levels can, in some cases, be indicative of prostate cancer so it’s important that men keep an eye on them – especially over the age of 50 and among highrisk individuals.
Sure enough, a biopsy confirmed that Raymond had prostate cancer. He felt completely defeated. “It was localized to my prostate but very aggressive. Despite my doctor being empathetic, I felt like a train was passing through my head – like I’d been knocked out. I couldn’t listen to what he was saying,” Raymond recalls.
“I was not expecting the diagnosis at all. I didn’t have a family history of prostate cancer, nor had any of my friends spoken to me about it.”
Raymond’s prostate was surgically removed two months after he received his diagnosis. “There was a lot of uncertainty and I felt scared. I’m so thankful to have had my family there to support me,” says Raymond.
In the years that followed, Raymond experienced a reoccurrence of his cancer, as witnessed by rising PSA levels, and was treated with a hormone therapy agent.
Raymond has been responding well to treatment. His urologist keeps a close eye on his PSA levels. Thankfully, his prostate cancer has not spread and he experiences limited side-effects. “I’m always anxious to hear those results every 4 months. That’s probably the most difficult part of living with prostate cancer for me,” he reveals.
Being diagnosed earlier was likely a major contributing factor to Raymond’s favourable health outcomes. The later the diagnosis, the higher the likelihood that prostate cancer will spread and that the individual will have a shorter life expectancy and poorer quality of life.
Raymond advises men to speak out if they have prostate cancer: “Once I started talking aboutmy experience, other men shared theirs too. We’re not alone.”
In fact, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. For instance, 12 men per day receive the diagnosis in Quebec. That’s over 4,300 Quebecers per year.
There are several types of prostate cancer and some are more aggressive than others. Not all types require treatment. Men at low risk of cancer progression are, instead, subject to active medical surveillance. But when early stage treatment is appropriate, the primary options are prostate removal, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
However, even if prostate cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body, it can become unresponsive to treatment. For example, NMCRPC (non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer) no longer responds to a medicine or surgery that lowers a male hormone called testosterone. If the cancer spreads, the chances of successful treatment, minimizing side effects, and maintaining a good quality of life dwindles even more.
Laurent Proulx, President and CEO of PROCURE, says rising PSA levels is the biggest indicator of prostate cancer. “PSA testing can help find prostate cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. It’s also key for measuring treatment success. Men should discuss ongoing PSA testing with their doctor and the best available treatment options for them,” Proulx remarks.
Dr. Fred Saad is the head of the Urology Department at the University ofmontreal Hospital Center. He says the first sign of prostate cancer is usually raised PSA levels or a rapidly rising PSA.
Dr. Saad advocates for treating aggressive prostate cancer as soon as possible but proposes active surveillance for men with low risk cancers: “After the prostate has been treated, PSA should be close to zero. Therefore, it’s even more reliable to monitor in men treated for prostate cancer who are in remission.
There are many treatment options for prostate cancer. But, in order to explore and obtain access to them as quickly as possible, you need to know you have the disease or what state of health you’re in after you are diagnosed with the condition.
IWAS NOT EXPECTING THE DIAGNOSIS AT ALL. I DIDN’T HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF PROSTATE CANCER, NOR HAD ANY OF MY FRIENDS SPOKEN TO ME ABOUT IT