Prostate Cancer Treatment

Can Prostate Cancer Be Prevented?

There is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer. Some risk factors—like age, race, and family history—cannot be changed. However, there are steps you can take that may help lower your risk.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

We don’t fully understand how weight, exercise, and diet affect prostate cancer risk, but making healthy choices can still help:

Maintain a healthy weight
Stay physically active
Eat a balanced diet, including:
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Less red and processed meat
- Fewer sugary drinks and highly processed foods
Limit calcium intake if you consume a lot of dairy

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms early on. As it grows, you may notice:

Trouble urinating
Weak urine flow
Blood in urine or semen
Bone pain
Unexplained weight loss
Problems with erections

If you have these symptoms, talk to your doctor.

How Is Prostate Cancer Found?

Doctors often use a PSA blood test to check for prostate cancer, even before symptoms appear.

PSA is a protein measured in your blood.
Higher levels may mean a problem with the prostate.

If needed, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. This test takes a small sample of prostate tissue and checks it under a microscope. It is the most accurate way to diagnose prostate cancer.

Treatment Options

Most prostate cancers grow slowly and are found early. This means you usually have time to think about your treatment choices.

When deciding on treatment, you and your doctor will discuss:

Your symptoms and PSA levels
Whether the cancer has spread
Your overall health
Your quality of life
Urinary and sexual function
Any other health conditions

Managing Treatment and Side Effects

Cancer treatments can cause side effects, but each person reacts differently. You may not have the same experience as someone else with the same condition.

It’s normal to feel worried before starting treatment. Your care team will help prevent or manage side effects. This type of care is called supportive care or palliative care, and it is an important part of treatment at any stage.