The Prostate Cancer Myths Debunked

Posted by Dr. Gregory Echt on October 19th, 2019

Due to various controversies regarding prostate cancer screening, it is challenging to determine when and whether you should get screened. The screening recommendations have continued to shift over the years. Men are advised to get their doctor’s opinion about their screening and treatment options.

Because of such issues, myths and misconceptions about prostate cancer have been created. Here are some of the myths and the medical facts about them:

• All men should get screened for prostate cancer – This is not so. Knowing whether you should go for screening depends on risk factors such as family history, age, race overall health and personal preferences. It is advisable to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening to decide wisely about getting tested.

• Having no symptoms means I don’t have prostate cancer – Prostate cancer does not often cause symptoms when in early stages. Most men learn about their disease after undergoing PSA screening. In its late stages, prostate cancer causes symptoms such as blood in semen or urine, weight loss, lower back pain, painful ejaculation, trouble urinating, and much more.

• Treatment is a must when diagnosed with prostate cancer – This is not the case. Prostate cancer is slow-growing and may not cause a problem to the patient during their lifetime. The treatment options can cause adverse side effects such as impotence and incontinence. That is why some men opt for active surveillance as an approach to delay treatment or forgo it.

• You can’t get prostate cancer if you have no family history of the disease – Prostate cancer occurs in men who have a family history and those who don't. Inherited genes can increase one's risk of developing prostate cancer. For instance, inherited mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can elevate the risk of ovarian and breast cancers and the risk for prostate cancer as well. 

The myths and half-truths about prostate cancer can be misleading. It is better to get the actual facts from the doctors or the available reading materials.

About Author

Dr. Echt and his team at the Prostate Seed Institute offer the most highly sophisticated methods of radiation therapy available in the United States, equal to that found in major medical center and academic settings. These include prostate seed implantation, high dose radiation implants, and external beam radiation with image-guided and intensity-modulated (IGRT and IMRT) capabilities.