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Cancer of the Prostate

Cancer can develop in various parts of the body including the lungs, intestines, rectum, breast, bones, or prostate. Prostate cancer develops as a malignant tumour that starts in the prostate gland. There is a possibility of the cancer spreading from the prostate to the lymph nodes, other organs or bones through metastasis. This cancer, which can be fatal, is the second most prevalent one in men.

However, with the improvement of medicine, survival rates in patients have improved considerably. Whilst there are certain risk factors for prostate cancer, the actual cause has not yet been discovered. What has been determined is that with the ageing process, the risk of prostate cancer is elevated. The risk of prostate cancer striking increases if you have a family member with prostate cancer. Statistics show that African-American men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than Caucasian men. Obesity is another factor which predisposes men more to prostate cancer.

There are no specific symptoms for prostate cancer; However, with the progression of prostate cancer, lower back, upper thigh and pelvic pain seems to manifest more. When prostate cancer is in an advanced stage, further complications are evidenced, such as increased frequency in urination, interrupted flow and difficulty in stopping or starting urinating, blood in the urine or semen as well as a feeling of burning.

Men over the age of 50 are recommended to have a prostate-specific antigen 9PSA) blood test every year, as well as a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to check if prostate cancer may be present. In a DRE, the physician tests for an enlarged prostate, lumps or any abnormal texture by inserting a lubricated and gloved finger into the rectum.

The prostate cells produce PSA, and with the PSA test, its level in the blood stream is determined. The likelihood of having prostate cancer increases with PSA levels that are above 4ng/mL. However, sometimes men with low PSA levels may contract prostate cancer; this will be subject to the man’s normal PSA level. If the level has always been rather elevated then there is no need for a lot of concern; This is one reason to have regular checks of the PSA levels.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer is also possible to be made by a biopsy or transrectal untrasound. It is through a biopsy that prostate cancer is correctly diagnosed.

The doctor suggests treatment for prostate cancer depending on its severity. Some recommendations may be surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or perhaps just wait and see.

When the path of hormonal therapy is followed then the male hormone testosterone is stopped to restrain the advance of the cancer cells. However, this is not a cure; it just controls the disease.

Subject to how acute the situation is, this will determine whether or not surgery is performed to remove the prostate and surrounding lymph glands. It is to be noted that this option may have serious consequences such as hot flashes, decreased libido, impotence and other possible repercussions and ramifications.

Sometimes, radiation is suggested where x-rays are passed through an external machine or through radioactive isotopes inside the body. The doctor may also suggest chemotherapy where the patient is prescribed medication that is administered either orally or through injections.

A wait and see option is often recommended as prostate cancer most frequently strikes older men. This is best if the tumour is small, is expected to have a low growth rate, or when medical treatment proves to be rather risky and may lead to death. With this choice of no treatment, there will be a need for regular observation. For more information on how to cope with prostate cancer, please visit the Prostate Advice Center at http://www.superior-health.info/Prostate/

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