In order to avoid prostate cancer and to get treatment as early as possible it is not enough to watch out for prostate cancer symptoms. One you detect the symptoms, the cancer is already in an advanced stage. Therefore you must visit your doctor at fixed intervals even before you discover any symptoms.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? A burning sensation while urinating, blood in the urine, an unknown pain in your hips or back. Another clear symptom could also be a change in urine flow.
Early detection of the cancer is vital. As stated already, it is important to have a screening examination in order to detect the cancer early. If detected early enough the cancer is curable.
The doctor will also put his digit into the rectum to feel any lumps in the prostate. If he finds any abnormalities, the doctor will order an blood test to find out if a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is in the blood. While low amounts of PSA are ok, a high amount of PSA is a strong sign for cancer.
Another less known method is the trans-rectal ultrasound test which gives a detailed picture of the prostate gland. The test takes twenty minutes and is painless.
A biopsy is needed once the above tests indicate the occurrence of cancer. That means that the doctor must take a small sample of the tissue by using a needle. The sample is then checked under a microscope and if the sample is cancerous it is an exact diagnosis. The biopsy itself is a quick and rather painless method to diagnose prostate cancer.
If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body can be checked by x-ray, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. It would be a bad sign if the cancer has reached the lungs already.
Once prostate cancer is diagnosed the treatment must start immediately. There are several different treatment options but still the surgery is the most effective way to totally remove the cancer. The treatment will need a team of doctors, an urologist, a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgery is not without risks and side effects so that some prefer alternative ways.
A good prognosis with a high survival rate of 95% can be given when the prostate cancer was detected very early and the surgery was successful. However, the later the cancer was diagnosed, the worse the statistics get. Less than 30% survive the next five years after the cancer was detected very late.
Before dealing with the causes of prostate cancer you should first understand that testosterone does not by itself cause prostate cancer. However, if you do have prostate cancer, the male hormone will feed it thus contributing to its growth. This fact is often used in some kinds of prostate cancer treatments.
The most obvious and most natural risk factor is age. Men under 50 years old are rarely diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is strongly recommended that men who are in their fifties do have a test carried out. Most men of and over 100 years old have prostate cancer.
Genetics are important risk factors when it comes to prostate cancer. If one parent (1st degree relationship such as brother or father) has been diagnosed of prostate cancer, you are much more at risk. Scientists believe that it is the HPC1, HPC2 and HPCX genes that transmit this disease and are closely studying them. If several women in your family have been diagnosed of breast cancer, it could imply that you have inherited of a defective gene making you more at risk.
There is also an ethnic factor associated with prostate cancer. It has been proved that prostate cancer is more common in black American people than Asians. Those who descend from African people are also much more exposed to prostate cancer.
The diet is also a cause of prostate cancer in men though more studies are being carried out nowadays. On one hand, diets which contain many fats such as red meat could lead to prostate cancer. On the other hand, diets which are mainly composed of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, diminish the risk of getting prostate cancer.
Moreover, it is said that having recourse to a vasectomy might also cause prostate cancer. While some studies have proved it, others have rejected this idea.
The number of treatments and remedies available for prostate cancer keep on increasing daily. Start by informing yourself about the different available options and consult your medical doctor and/or herbalist.
Both Jessie Lupi & Arturo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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