Former President Joe Biden recently shared his prostate cancer diagnosis with the world. After experiencing urinary symptoms, Biden’s doctors discovered a nodule on his prostate, and testing determined an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to the bone.
Second only to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although it most often occurs in men 65 or older, prostate cancer can happen at any age, which is why screening is so important for early detection.
Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Early signs of prostate cancer can include:
- A weakened or interrupted flow of urine
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- More frequent urination, especially at night
The advanced stages of this disease can lead to more serious symptoms, such as:
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Bone pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis
- Weight loss
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment. The good news is that prostate cancer is highly treatable, and, for many men, it’s a slow-growing cancer that allows for a more conservative approach to treatment. However, in some cases, like former President Biden’s, prostate cancer can be more serious and requires a more aggressive treatment.
In either situation, it’s important to speak with your health care provider about any potential concerns right away rather than waiting to get tested.
Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations
When no symptoms are present, we suggest starting prostate cancer screening at:
- Age 40-54 for men at high risk (African American men or men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, male and female breast cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer at an age younger than age 65.)
- Age 55-69 for men at average risk have the greatest benefit for screening
- Age 70 or above for men who are in good health may benefit from continued prostate cancer screening
Early detection is important, as it’s the best route for treating cancer before symptoms develop. A screening helps detect possible signs of prostate cancer while it’s in its early stages. If the screening test comes back abnormal, the next step is a prostate biopsy to determine if cancer is present.
Prostate Cancer Treatment: Steps to Take After Diagnosis
Treating prostate cancer can depend on the specific type and stage of the cancer, the speed at which it grows, and your individual health. Treatment options can include:
- Checkpoint inhibitor drugs that block proteins to make your immune system more effective at killing cancer cells
- Hormone therapy medications to lower testosterone levels
- PARP inhibitors (a medication that targets an enzyme and repairs damaged DNA)
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Watchful waiting, if the cancer is slow-growing and not causing symptoms
Generally, prostate cancer that hasn’t spread to other parts of the body is treated with surgery and radiation therapy, with or without hormone therapy.
The Gleason Score: A Grading System for Prostate Cancer
A Gleason score is a grading system used to classify the stages of prostate cancer. Gleason scores range from six to 10, and knowing your score is one way for your health care provider to predict how quickly your prostate cancer might grow. Scores are broken down into three categories:
- Gleason 6: Low-grade, slow-growing cancer
- Gleason 7: Intermediate-grade cancer
- Gleason 8, 9 or 10: High-grade cancer, more likely to grow and spread quickly
In former President Biden’s case, despite being characterized by a Gleason score of nine, his cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, meaning hormone therapy medications can still be an effective course of treatment. The former President and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
If you need treatment for prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about which therapy is right for you based on your specific type of cancer, overall health and treatment goals.
Comprehensive Prostate Cancer Care at AdventHealth
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we’re here to support you. Using leading cancer treatments paired with compassionate, whole-person care, our oncology experts will help you understand your diagnosis and find the best treatment to meet your needs. Learn more about our cancer care today.
