Prostate Cancer - A Basic Primer For Men

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers known and it targets men, particularly men over the age of 65. The good news is that if it detected in its earlier stages it is highly treatable and the patients have a good prognosis for a full recovery. However, it often displays no symptoms at all until it has developed into one of the advanced stages. Prostate cancer that is untreated for a long period of time can create even more problems. The disease can then be very resistant to the standard types of treatment. This means that knowing what the prostate cancer symptoms actually are can provide you with the means to quite literally save your life.

Who's At Risk?

For reasons not fully understood at this point, the disease occurs most frequently-and has the highest death rate-among African-American men. About 80% of all men diagnosed are over the age of 65 and less than 1% of all newly diagnosed cases occur in men who are under the age of 50.

Diets high in fat, especially fat from animal sources, are more likely to lead to advanced stages, which may be why the disease is most common in the United States, where meat and dairy are staples, versus other countries in which staple diets consist more of vegetables, rice, and soybeans. Fats can stimulate the production of hormones such as testosterone, which regulates prostate function, and high testosterone can speed the growth of prostate cancer as well as stimulate dormant cancer cells.

Symptoms

When there is some type blockage in the prostate gland, (which may be caused by a tumor or simply an enlarged prostate), a man may experience urination abnormalities. These prostate cancer symptoms include such issues as difficulty starting or stopping the flow or pain while urinating. Pain while ejaculating could also signal that there is a problem that needs attention. Usually bone pain is found in patients with advanced disease of the prostate. The pain that is noted is especially significant in areas such as the thighs, hips and lower back. In many cases this type of deep bone pain could indicate that the cancer that has already spread to the bones.

Treatment

Surgery and radiation are common treatment options for the early stages of prostate cancer, but since it's a slow-growing cancer, the option a patient and his doctor may decide it is best is to keep the disease under active surveillance. This is a passive type of observation and monitoring of the disease as opposed to actual aggressive treatment options.

Hormone therapy and chemotherapy are other options normally given to patients who may be experiencing prostate cancer symptoms that indicate the disease is in the more advanced stages. Side effects of these types of treatments can include erectile dysfunction-which may be caused by surgery, radiation, or cryotherapy (freezing of cancerous tissue)-or urinary incontinence.

Prevention

Eating a healthy diet and exercising can help reduce the risks of developing prostate cancer. If you are a male and you're 50+ you should schedule an annual prostate exam (digital rectal exam) and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. African American males aged 40+ or those with a family history of prostate cancer should also schedule regular yearly examinations.

Now that you have found out the basics of this disease including symptoms, treatment and prevention click the following link for comprehensive information on Prostate Cancer.

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