His case underscores the importance of early detection in a cancer that often develops without symptoms for years, according to doctors.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and is strongly linked to age.
In its early stages, it may cause no symptoms or only mild ones similar to benign prostate enlargement. These include frequent urination, nighttime urination, a weak stream, or a persistent urge to urinate.
In more advanced stages, men may experience back or bone pain, fatigue, weight loss or incontinence.
In severe cases, the tumor can block the bladder or even affect kidney function.
The initial examination typically involves a rectal exam to feel for abnormalities in the prostate with a finger, and a blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen).
However, PSA levels can be influenced by factors such as recent exercise or sexual activity, so doctors often focus on trends over time rather than a single result.
Dr. Karolina Kruk, a clinical oncologist at the Rydygier Specialist Hospital in Kraków, southern Poland, noted that patients with prostate cancer often face additional health issues.
"The most common coexisting conditions include joint and rheumatic diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease and fatty liver disease," she said.
"Among the elderly, we also see geriatric syndromes like frailty or chronic pain, sensory impairments and various addictions,” she added. “The biggest challenge, however, is cardiovascular disease. Studies show that up to two-thirds of men with prostate cancer have high cardiac risk, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, or arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation."
Although early-stage prostate cancer has an excellent prognosis with nearly 100 percent five-year survival, this drops to about 37 percent when the cancer is metastatic at diagnosis.
These figures are statistical averages; actual outcomes vary depending on the cancer’s aggressiveness, the patient’s age, general health and how well the treatment works.
Treatment for advanced prostate cancer has improved significantly, but it often brings side effects that affect daily life, including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, hot flashes, mood swings, and muscle loss.
Treatment choices depend not only on the medical situation but also on a patient’s preferences and quality of life goals.
Kruk noted that prostate cancer patients have specific needs. She also pointed out that men are often less likely than women to seek specialist care when facing genital or urinary symptoms.
"While women typically go to a gynecologist, men may not know who to turn to," she said. "It’s important to consult a urologist or oncologist early.”
According to a statement from Biden’s office, the diagnosis followed a period of “increasing urinary symptoms” and the discovery of a lump in the prostate.
Further tests, including imaging and a biopsy, confirmed the presence of prostate cancer, which had already spread to the bones—a sign of high-risk, aggressive metastatic disease.
Metastatic means the cancer has moved beyond its original location, most commonly to the bones or lymph nodes.
In Biden’s case, this puts him among the 5 to 7 percent of prostate cancer patients who are already in the metastatic stage at the time of diagnosis.
Biden’s diagnosis may serve as a wake-up call: Even world leaders are not immune to illness, doctors say.
The key message to all is to listen to your body, take routine checkups seriously, and act early. It can make all the difference.
The American Urological Association recommends PSA testing from age 50 for most men, but those with African ancestry or a family history, especially carriers of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, should begin screening earlier.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP
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