Will I lose my masculinity?
Treatment for prostate cancer is likely to cause infertility. This should be discussed with your doctor before you start treatment.
Is the chance of developing prostate cancer influenced by dietary or environmental factors?
Eating a diet high in animal fat and low in fresh fruit, vegetables and fish and being exposed to cadmium (a heavy metal) or 'radiation' have been identified as possible risk factors which may be associated with prostate cancer. However research is still continuing in this area. Some preliminary research suggests that Lycopene (the compound that gives the tomato its red colour), selenium and vitamin E in the diet could play a preventative role in the development of prostate cancer.I have heard about PSA screening. Is it necessary for all men over a certain age to be screened?
The PSA test (Prostate Specific Antigen) can be used to screen for early prostate cancer. A raised result does not necessarily mean you have cancer, a positive biopsy is needed to confirm cancer which will occur in about one man out of every five. If prostate cancer is diagnosed, it is not necessarily life threatening and curative treatment many not be required – as most men diagnosed with early prostate cancer following a positive PSA test would be expected to have slowly growing cancer which should not cause any problems during their natural lifespan. There is controversy whether PSA testing should be used in routine screening for prostate cancer. Many medical professionals feel it will be wrong to introduce national screening in this country because the effectiveness of screening is unproven and the side effects of treatment can be significant. As a result there is no NHS PSA testing programme because it has not been demonstrated that it leads to an improvement in mortality. However every man over 50 has a right to a PSA test if they request it and in the US many men have regular PSA tests from the age of 50.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.icr.ac.uk/)
