Prostate Cancer Myths And facts: Dispelling Misconceptions

With an estimated 1.5 million new cases and nearly 4,00,000 deaths each year, prostate cancer stands as the world’s second most common malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among men. Although its incidence is significantly higher in transitioned countries, the mortality gap is far smaller, underscoring the global impact of the disease. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men across most nations, yet confusion still surrounds its risks, symptoms, and treatment. Enhancing awareness means dispelling myths and sharing clear, accurate facts.

1. Myth: Only elderly men get prostate cancer
   Fact: The risk of prostate cancer does increase with age, especially after 50 and accelerating after 64. However, men in their forties and fifties can also be affected. Factors such as family history, ethnicity, and genetics can contribute to an individual’s risk, making prostate cancer not exclusive to older men.
2. Myth: Prostate cancer always causes symptomsFact: Prostate cancer is often silent in its early and most treatable stages. Most men with early prostate cancer experience no symptoms at all, and the disease is typically detected through screening, such as PSA blood tests, or investigations for unrelated issues. Symptoms like difficulty urinating or pelvic pain usually develop only when the cancer has grown significantly or spread beyond the prostate.
3. Myth: A high PSA level means you have prostate cancerFact: Elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels can result from various prostate conditions-not just cancer-including prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While PSA testing helps identify risk, it is not a definitive cancer diagnosis.
4. Myth: Prostate cancer is always aggressiveFact: Prostate cancer varies. Some types progress slowly and may never cause significant problems, while others are more aggressive. Treatment decisions depend on cancer type, stage, and individual risk factors-many cases benefit from active surveillance
5. Myth: Impotence and urinary incontinence are inevitable side effects of prostate cancer treatment.
   Fact: While some treatments for prostate cancer-such as surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy-can cause erectile dysfunction or urinary and bowel problems, these side effects are not inevitable for every man. The likelihood and severity of side effects depend on factors like the type of treatment, overall health, and the stage of the cancer. Many men see improvement within a year, and not all will experience these issues. Support from urologists and therapists can help manage any complications. Men diagnosed with prostate cancer should discuss all treatment options and potential side effects with their healthcare team, and seeking a second opinion can also be beneficial.
6. Myth: If you have no family history, you aren’t at riskFact: A family history does increase risk, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not have a close relative with the disease. Other factors-including age, race, and lifestyle-can also contribute.
7. Myth: Screening for prostate cancer is unnecessary/Screening tests do not help.Fact: Early detection of prostate cancer can substantially improve outcomes. Screening allows doctors to identify prostate cancer before symptoms develop, enabling curative treatment. Published guidelines support PSA screening for well-informed, healthy men usually between ages 45 and 75, with consideration for even earlier screening-starting at 40 to 45 years-for those at higher risk. High-risk individuals include men of African descent, those with a family history of prostate cancer or multiple cancers, those with Lynch syndrome, veterans exposed to Agent Orange, and men with high-risk genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. The two most common screening methods are the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
8. Myth: Vasectomies cause prostate cancerFact: There is a persistent myth that having a vasectomy increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, extensive research over the past thirty years has shown vasectomies do not cause prostate cancer. Men who have had a vasectomy should not be concerned about an increased risk of prostate cancer due to the procedure, and like any man, should continue to discuss their risk of developing prostate cancer with their GP.

   References:

1. International Agency for Research on Cancer. GLOBOCAN 2022: Prostate cancer fact sheet, India (C61). Lyon (FR): IARC, World Health Organization; 2022. Available from: Global Cancer Observatory (Cancer Today). Accessed 2025 Sep 10
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3. American Cancer Society-Prostate Cancer Risk and Early Detection: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate- cancer.html
4. Mayo Clinic-Prostate Cancer: Symptoms and Causes: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
5. National Cancer Institute-Prostate Cancer:https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostateinformation/prostate-cancer/
6. Prostate Cancer UK-Prostate Cancer Risk & Diagnosis: https://prostate canceruk.org/prostate-
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-Prostate Cancer: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/
8. European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines-Prostate Cancer (2024): https://uroweb.org/guidelines/prostate-cancer