Prostate cancer overview and clinical management

Prostate Cancer Issues in Healthcare

Prostate Cancer is a cancer of the prostate which affects men. 190,000 new cases are detected each year in America, making it the most common cancer among men. Additionally, prostate cancer has grown 192% between 1973 and 1992. (PCA)

There are social, environmental and political conditions which currently exist and may affect a prostate cancer victim's access to health care or other services. Some of these issues are very positive while others show that politics and 'political correctness' can sometimes hinder research and cost lives.

American men have a one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer. For women, the risk is one in three." (PCA) However, only one tenth of the American healthcare budget currently goes toward cancer research. The PCA estimates that if cancer were cured today, "the economic value to the United States would exceed $46 trillion, more than the entire financial assets of the country."

African-American men have the highest risk of prostate cancer worldwide - their risk is 60% greater than that of Caucasian males. Prostate cancer, in the public image is a disease of old men. Yet younger men each year are dying of it. The PCA also states that "This year, more cases of prostate cancer in men under the age of 65 are expected than the combined number of men of ages who are victims of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, and brain tumors."

Although the PCA presents a negative political image of prostate cancer - the 'ignored' cancer, there is some evidence that politicians are beginning to hear the victims of prostate cancer, and listen. Cancer, of course doesn't discriminate who it picks - though African-American males may be more at rich cancer doesn't pick its victims by social status. A recent public announcement by Sacramento City Councilman Robbie Waters stating that he has prostate cancer indicates once again to the public that early screening is key. (Gibson) "It's a shocker," he said during an interview Friday afternoon at his Pocket-area hardware store. "I was surprised... And I am scared.

"However, research I've done the last few days indicates that this kind of cancer, if caught soon enough, is curable."

If politicians are beginning to come forth with incurable diseases, 'everyday' people who have such diseases will be more encouraged to seek early intervention. Not only that but if politicians are getting prostate cancer, by a natural fact more public funding for the disease cannot be too far behind. After all, what politician with prostate cancer is going to conclude that it is being funded enough, and will simply accept the reality of his death due to insufficient funding?

Public endorsement, to men, of prostate cancer screening will help them to not feel like 'sissies' because they have found a lump or have an uncomfortable sensation in their private parts. It may save many lives, because the social stigma of a man being less manly if he goes to the doctor before he is half dead, will no longer apply.

The cost of screening may be a deterrant to people in a lower income bracket. Depending on the test used, the cost of screening a single man may cost as much as $50. If someone wanting to be screened doesn't have health insurance, then they may avoid going for screening, or they may wait until it is medically too late for anything to be done (if they are found to have the cancer).

One alternative to keeping men safe is 'no cost screening' blitzes such as the one put on by The Foundation for Medical Evaluation and Early Detection in coordination with the NYU Urological Associates. This free screening ran during November, and enabled men without healthcare coverage to receive free screening. All men over the age of forty were eligible to receive the free screening.

Screening will include a digital rectal examination, and a Prostate Antigen (PSA) Blood Test. There is no cost to an individual for the screening, due to the contribution of the professional services by the board certified urologists at NYU Urological Associates, and funding for the testing the Foundation for Medical Evaluation and Early Detection." (International)