You may or may not find this surprising, but the words, “can women get prostate cancer” are among the most searched in Google. In fact, just one quick Google search using the words “women” and “prostate cancer” could easily cause any woman to wonder and/or worry, can we develop prostate cancer?
But the worry should stop right here. Let the experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami – a state-of-the-art radiation treatment center for cancer – set the record straight.
Women Cannot Develop Prostate Cancer. Period.
That’s because women don’t have a prostate. But there is a reason for some confusion, and it all has to do with a name and the location of certain glands in the female body.
Allow us to Explain:
Only men have a prostate. They’re the ping-pong ball-like glands below the bladder in men and are important for reproduction, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
However, women have glands down there too — near the urethra. They’re called the Skene’s glands, and they sit on either side of the urethra. These glands were named after Alexander Skene, who detailed these glands in the late 1800s.
The Skene’s glands have been labeled the “female prostate” because of similarities to the male prostate. For instance, both the prostate and the Skene’s gland have prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA phosphate (PSAP)
Yet the prostate and the Skene’s glands are not the same.
What’s In a Name? The Skene’s Glands IS NOT the “Female Prostate”
You can call the glands in women the Skene’s glands, the lesser vestibular glands, the paraurethral glands, the Skene’s ducts or the periurethral glands.
These small pea-like glands are said to lubricate the urethra opening to prevent urinary tract infections. According to the National Institutes of Health, researchers don’t fully understand the Skene’s gland or all its functions. But it may also play a role in sexual health.
Women Cannot Get Prostate Cancer
While women cannot get prostate cancer because they don’t have prostates, they can get cancer of the Skene’s glands. But it is exceedingly rare – like .003% of all female genital-urinary tract cancers.
Since this is a very rare cancer, there are very few studies so symptoms of Skene’s gland cancer may be difficult to pinpoint.
Ladies, if you have pain or frequent urination, blood in your urine, pain during sex or an abnormal menstrual cycle, see a doctor. Many other conditions like infection, polycystic ovarian syndrome or cysts have similar symptoms. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms in Men
For men, early-stage prostate cancer may not cause any symptoms. That’s why screening is important, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several warning signs of prostate cancer. While they may be caused by other medical issues, you don’t want to ignore any of them. Those symptoms include:
- Frequent urination, especially during the night
- Pain or burning while urinating.
- Changes to bathroom habits
- Pressure or pain in the rectum
- A weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Difficulty when you first start to urinate.
- Trouble emptying the bladder.
- Pain in the back, hip or pelvis that is persistent.
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
- Blood or urine in the semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Erectile dysfunction
According to the Urology Care Foundation other symptoms include:
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
- Bone pain
Prostate Cancer Treatment
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are different treatment options depending on the type and stage of cancer, your age, and your overall health.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, each year more than 60,000 American men opt for radiation therapy to treat their prostate cancer.
The cure rate for prostate cancer with radiation is well-documented, and there is a proven safety track record. But not all radiation treatments are the same.
CyberKnife Miami for Prostate Cancer Care
CyberKnife, which uses a state-of-the-art form of radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT, has up to a 98% cure rate for prostate cancer.
The experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami, who see prostate cancer patients on a regular basis agree. Here are some distinct advantages.
- It’s noninvasive.
- There is no anesthesia or cutting.
- It doesn’t come with the risks of surgery like infection and long periods of downtime.
- CyberKnife treatments can be done in five therapy sessions over 10 days instead of 42 to 45 over three months with other types of radiation treatments.
- The CyberKnife radiation beams are exceedingly precise. That means there are less risks of side effects including impotence and incontinence. That is a relief to most men who are looking for alternative treatment options for prostate cancer.
“CyberKnife is an amazingly precise way to deliver radiation to the prostate,” says Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of CyberKnife Miami on CyberKnife Miami’s YouTube Channel. “It is not readily available in all places, but Miami is blessed to have the CyberKnife Center of Miami, which has a vast amount of experience.”
Prostate Cancer Treatment Near Me
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with prostate cancer, contact the experts at CyberKnife Miami for a consultation. We treat patients from across South Florida, the United States and even around the world.
If you would like to find out more about prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife, call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our prostate cancer website now for more information.