Dr. Eric Griggs, or “Doc Griggs” as he’s called, is a New Orleans based community medicine doctor and health educator. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Tulane University School of Medicine. His mantra is “Get checked. Get fit. Get moving!”
Charlie Hill is a retired executive vice president, human resources for Landmark Media Enterprises. He earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Virginia State College and a MBA degree from Hampton University. The governor of Virginia recently appointed Hill to a second four-year term as a member of Virginia State University’s Board of Visitors. He’s a proud Virginia State alum and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, inc.
Mr. Hill was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2002 and he prefers to be called a warrior versus a survivor.
WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?
Prostate cancer starts in the cells of the prostate gland. The prostate is a sex gland in men that sits just below the bladder. It’s about the size of a walnut. It wraps around the tube called the urethra, which carries urine out of the bladder to exit the body. Prostate Cancer is the uncontrollable and excessive growth of cells in the gland.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
Nearly 2 of every 3 prostate cancers are found in men 65 and older. As a man gets older, his chance of getting prostate cancer increases. African-American men are also more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men. But in recent years, death rates have gone down faster in African-American men than in white men. Older Black men whose father or a brother has been diagnosed are at greatest risk.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER?
Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Men who have prostate cancer can be symptom-free for years. But as it grows, prostate cancer can cause some symptoms. Men should see a health care provider if they:
- Have to urinate often, especially at night
- Have trouble starting or stopping urine flow
- Have a weak or slow urine flow
- Have blood in the urine or semen
- Feel frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or ribs
WHAT OFTEN PREVENTS SUCCESSFUL EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN?
Prostate cancers are less likely to be detected in the early stages among African-Americans because research shows they are generally less likely to have health insurance and have less access to health care. African-American men are less trustful of their physicians than are white men, less likely to see the same doctor each time they go a visit or care, and less likely to be screened for prostate cancer.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROSTATE SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS?
Promote knowledge of early detection through awareness and educational activities that focus on the benefits and potential harms of PSA testing and wellness involving diet, nutrition, exercise, weight control, psychosocial and cultural sensitivities starting at age 35. Baseline PSA testing for men of African descent and other men deemed to be at high-risk for prostate cancer is suggested beginning at age 40 for predicting their risk of prostate cancer.
WHAT IS THE 100 BLACK MEN OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION DOING TO ENGAGE MEN AND ENCOURAGE EARLY DETECTION?
All 100 Black Men of America Chapters are being encouraged to host at least one prostate cancer awareness/educational event annually. This means the 100 chapter network is fully engaged in educating men across the country on the benefits of prostate cancer early detection, diagnosis and treatment options.
HOW LONG DOES A PROSTATE EXAM TAKE AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD MEN GET THE EXAM?
Men should make individualized decisions to be tested and examined based on their risk factors after discussion with their health care provider. The exam takes no longer that a few seconds.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD MEN GET A PROSTATE EXAM?
Baseline PSA testing for men of African descent and other men deemed to be at high-risk for prostate cancer is suggested beginning at age 40 for predicting their risk of prostate cancer.
IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF CANCER IN YOUR FAMILY, SHOULD YOU GET CHECKED ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR FOR CANCER?
Rarely is screening recommended more than once a year, However, we advise that screening option frequency be discussed with primary care physicians.
WHAT REASONS/EXCUSES HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED FROM MEN NOT GETTING TESTED FOR PROSTATE CANCER?
AA culture in the Black community for men to resist seeking health care for prostate concerns and having fear about rectal exams or about loss of erectile function from treatment. Since 2012, another reason is confusion caused by conflicting opinions and recommendations.
IS PROSTATE CANCER CURABLE? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF IT RETURNING?
With early detection, prostate cancer is 100% treatable. Early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes. Knowledge, Faith and Early Detection Matter Most
IF I’M NOT OF AGE TO A RECEIVE PROSTATE CANCER EXAM BUT I HAVE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS, CAN I REQUEST THE TEST ANYWAY?
Men who have a family history of prostate cancer may consider earlier screening. Screening options should be discussed with your health care provider.
WILL INSURANCE COVER THE COST OF A PROSTATE EXAM IF YOU’RE NOT AT THE RECOMMENDED AGE?
Insurance may be available for those men who have a history of prostate cancer in their family.
Dr. Griggs answers your Text Tom questions on the next page:
I had my prostate removed from cancer in 2016. Will I ever be able to function again sexually without injection?
Whether you’ve had surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to treat prostate cancer, chances are, you have suffered some changes in sexual function.
After a radical prostatectomy, men may have nerve and blood vessel alterations to their erections that make it more difficult to achieve and maintain erections.
Additionally, because the prostate gland and seminal vesicles make the majority of semen fluid, men after prostatectomy will no longer ejaculate. They can still have the pleasurable sensation of orgasm, just no ejaculate fluid. Ejaculate fluid also greatly diminishes after radiation therapy.
Erections tend to lessen after radiation as well although it is often a more gradual decline. Please know that there are surgical solutions available such as a penile implant that will allow you to have erections firm enough for penetration. Please discuss this matter with your health care provider to determine if this solution will work for you. For more information visit this link.
We just discovered my husband has prostate cancer – what is the best treatment?
Depending on each case, treatment options for men with prostate cancer might include:
• Active Surveillance
• Surgery
• Radiation Therapy (Proton & Photon)
• Cryotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Vaccine Treatment
• Preventing and Treating Prostate Cancer Spread to Bones
• Immunotherapy
It is extremely important that you as his wife get and remain deeply involved in the research about which treatment is best for your husband because each case is really different and you will have the opportunity to help him sort this out. That increases the chances of making the best decision for him!
I was told that low testosterone is a red flag, that will cause your doctor to keep an eye on your prostrate. True or False?
Unfortunately, there is no true or false answer. The paradox of testosterone and prostate cancer risk is that prostate cancer risk increases as a man ages at the same time that a man’s normal testosterone levels start to decline. This paradox requires a thorough assessment by a physician that knows your health status and numbers as well as the subject matter.
My friend has a PSA over 74 & it has metastasized in his bones but he is still moving. What therapy can be approached in his case?
Treatments such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and vaccines may help with this, but other treatments more specifically target bone metastasis and the problems it may cause. Treatment options should be discussed with your health care provider for informed decision making. We know of cases worse than that of your friend, so he should not give up. However, he needs to seek care from a health care provider experienced in very serious cases including clinical trials, if available.
Doctor, why after seven years of having prostate cancer surgery my doctor checks my PSA with a new test specific ultra and it shows a PSA reading, while before a regular PSA score showed 0.00-for years after surgery. Last reading 0.103 in July. Should I be worried?
A prostate ultrasound is used to check your prostate gland using ultrasound imagery. Your doctor usually won’t do this as part of a physical examination, but they may recommend it if:
• you’re over 40
• you notice any unusual symptoms
• you’re at risk for prostate cancer
Your doctor may also do a prostate ultrasound if they find any abnormalities during a rectal examination.
Some symptoms that might prompt your doctor to recommend a prostate ultrasound include:
• trouble urinating
• blood in your urine
• lumps or nodules (excess tissue) around your rectum
• abnormal results from a blood or urine test
• low sperm count (determined using fertility tests)
A prostate ultrasound can also be used to help your doctor take a tissue sample, or biopsy, from your prostate.
Screenings and follow up treatments should be discussed with your health care provider.
I have a high PSA and lesions that are non-cancerous. However my doctors have two opinions, one say my numbers are high due to the size of my prostate, the other believe the lesions will turn to cancer.
Prostate cancer screenings and follow-up treatments should be discussed with your health care provider. If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we recommend getting a second opinion before selecting a course of treatment. Getting a second opinion is more than a formality. It’s a valuable way to verify facts, like the stage, the location and even the existence of the disease.
Should one be concerned if my husband is diagnosed with inflammation of the prostrate? An appointment with a urologist is being scheduled by his gastroenterologist. I don’t think this is considered family history; but his great-grandfather had prostate cancer, which is why I’m concerned.
African-American men with a family history of prostate cancer should talk to their doctor at age 35 about the pros and cons of prostate cancer testing. Because African-American men are at higher risk for the disease, they should also have this talk – whether they have a family history or not.
How else can you get prostate cancer other than charred meat?
While there is no direct evidence that consuming charred meat causes prostate cancer, eating large amounts of animal protein, particularly red meat, is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. Similarly, a higher intake of fatty foods, including meat, dairy products, fried foods, and oils have shown an increase in hormone production, which likely increases the risk of hormone-related cancers like breast and prostate cancer.
Eating a healthy, low-fat diet rich in plant foods, grains, and beans can potentially reduce the risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. Get checked. Get fit. Get moving.
Why don’t doctors perform a prostate exam while performing a colonoscopy?
These two different procedures do not coexist. A colonoscopy is a medical testing procedure designed to detect dangerous changes in the colon or rectum. It is not used to check for changes in the nearby prostate gland. A colonoscopy is performed by inserting a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) through the anus and into the rectum and colon.
A tiny camera attached to the end of the colonoscope sends live images to an external viewing monitor. However, during a prostate exam, your doctor may perform a digital rectal exam, which involves using a gloved finger inserted in the rectum to physically detect changes in the prostate, which sits outside the rectum wall.
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