Prostate Cancer FAQs

Dr Chabert performs robotic radical prostatectomy at The Gold Coast Private Hospital and also at The Wesley Hospital, Brisbane.

Many men that I see are concerned about their prostate cancer risk when they become aware of a change in their urinary unction. Prostate cancer tends to arise from the outer part of the prostate rather than in the central area. As a result, before prostate cancer will cause any urinary symptoms t needs to be very large to the point that it obstructs the outlet of the bladder. More often than not urinary symptoms are due to BPH or the benign prostatic enlargement.

Prostatic growth is a natural part of aging however, this can be slowed by dietary modifications. Phytoestrogens in soy products and lycopenes in stewed tomatoes are thought to be beneficial for prostatic health.

Although the accuracy of prostate biopsies has improved significantly over the years, in particular with the advent of mp mri scans, there still exists a small risk that a cancer may have been missed on both the mri and the biopsy itself.

The purpose of a prostate biopsy is to determine if prostate cancer is present. The results will answer yes or no to that question but also provide important information about the type of cancer if the biopsy is positive. This information is called the Gleason Score. It ranges from 6-10 with 6 being the least aggressive form and 10 being the most aggressive.

No. On arrival to hospital patients are given an antibiotic tablet and an enema to clear out the rectum. No change in diet is required prior to the investigation.

All biopsies are performed under a light general anaesthetic very similar to the one given for a colonoscopy or gastroscopy.

Family history/geneticsRace (African/Americans are at the greatest risk)Increasing ageWestern diet (high intake of meat and dairy products which are high in saturated fats and cholesterol)

A man’s life time risk of developing the disease is around 16%. This increases in members of affected families, increasing with the number of affected first degree relatives (eg. brother, father) within a particular family:X1 first degree relative: 30%X2 first degree relatives: 50%X3 first degree relatives: almost 100%