Prostate Cancer: Awareness and Novel Solutions

Prostate cancer has long been considered a disease of older men, with the average age of diagnosis being 66. However, about 10% of cases do occur in men below the age of 55. These early-onset prostate cancers tend to be more aggressive and have worse outcomes compared to prostate cancer in older men.

Researchers believe biological differences contribute to this difference. Early-onset prostate tumors often contain certain genetic abnormalities not commonly found in older patients. The Jacksonville College of Medicine in Florida reports that socioeconomic status also impacts prostate cancer outcomes. Men of lower socioeconomic status have higher death rates, as they tend to be diagnosed at later stages when the cancer is more advanced.

Regardless of age or socioeconomic status, prostate cancer detection starts with tests like the PSA blood test and a rectal exam. If cancer is found, new treatments provide more options than were once available. For example, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) delivers targeted radiation over just 2 weeks, which is unlike older radiation methods requiring many visits. MRg-A-SBRT is an even more precise form of SBRT that uses real-time MRI to track prostate motion during treatment and also lowers side effects that are common in other treatments.

For metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) unresponsive to hormone therapy, a newly approved drug combo is available. It combines enzalutamide with talazoparib, an existing therapy for BRCA-positive female cancers. Both enzalutamide and talazoparib are antiandrogen drugs that stop testosterone from fueling prostate cancer growth.

Key to Takeaway: Early prostate cancer detection and new precision treatments like SBRT provide better outcomes. Men of any age or economic status should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor.

Citations

4,549,000+ man pictures. Freepik. (2020, August 13). https://www.freepik.com/photos/man

How does cancer do that? sizing up cells and their shapes. City of Hope. (2023, May 9). https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2018/02/how-does-cancer-do-that-sizing-up-cells-and-their-shapes

Schmidt, C. (2023a, July 12). FDA approves new treatment for Advanced prostate cancer. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fda-approves-new-treatment-for-advanced-prostate-cancer-202307122952

Schmidt, C. (2023, September 6). Prostate cancer: A new type of radiation treatment limits risk of side effects. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/prostate-cancer-a-new-type-of-radiation-treatment-limits-risk-of-side-effects-202309062969

Schmidt, C. (2023, June 12). Young men with prostate cancer: Socioeconomic factors affect lifespan. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/young-men-with-prostate-cancer-socioeconomic-factors-affect-lifespan-202306122946