| Cancer can occur in any part of the body - lungs, | | | | having PSA levels higher than 4ng/mL have a higher |
| intestine, rectum, breast or prostate. Prostate cancer | | | | chance of prostate cancer. However, sometimes |
| develops as a malignant tumor that starts in the | | | | men with low PSA levels may contract prostate |
| prostate gland. There is a possibility of the cancer | | | | cancer; it all depends on the normal PSA level of a |
| spreading from the prostate to the lymph nodes, | | | | man. If it was always on the higher side, then there |
| other organs or bones through metastasis. | | | | is not much to worry; this is why it is better to keep |
| This is the second most common type of cancer in | | | | track of PSA levels. It is also possible to diagnose |
| men, which can lead to death. However, with the | | | | prostate cancer through transrectal ultrasound and |
| improvement of medicine, survival rates in patients | | | | biopsies. It is through a biopsy that prostate cancer is |
| have improved considerably. The cause of prostate | | | | correctly diagnosed. |
| cancer has never been found out, however, there | | | | The doctor suggests treatment for prostate cancer |
| are some risk factors that induce prostate cancer. | | | | depending on its severity. It can be surgery, radiation, |
| It has been found out that with the increase of age, | | | | chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or watchful waiting. |
| the risk of prostate cancer tends to increase. Having | | | | Through hormonal therapy, the effect of male |
| family members with prostate cancer increases the | | | | hormones like testosterone is blocked to inhibit the |
| risk of developing prostate cancer. Statistics show | | | | growth of cancer cells. However, this is not a cure; it |
| that African-American men have a higher risk of | | | | just controls the disease. |
| prostate cancer than Caucasian men. And of course, | | | | With the surgical treatment, prostate glands and |
| obese men are more prone to prostate cancer. | | | | surrounding lymph glands are removed, depending on |
| There are no specific symptoms for prostate cancer; | | | | the severity of the condition. However this may |
| however as it grows, men tend to suffer from pain | | | | cause hot flashes, loss of interest in sex, impotence |
| in the lower back, upper thighs and pelvis. Other | | | | and other problems in the patient. Sometimes, |
| symptoms of advanced prostate cancer are | | | | radiation is suggested where x-rays are passed |
| complications in urinating like increase in frequency, | | | | through an external machine or through radioactive |
| interrupted flow, finding it difficult to stop or start | | | | isotopes inside the body. The doctor may also |
| urinating, presence of blood in the urine and the | | | | suggest chemotherapy where the patient is |
| presence of pain and burning sensation. | | | | prescribed medication that is administered either orally |
| It is suggested that men over the age of 50, have | | | | or through injections. |
| to take a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test | | | | However, since prostate cancer attacks older men, |
| every year, along with a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) to | | | | they are usually advised watchful waiting. This is best |
| find out the presence of prostate cancer. In a DRE, | | | | if the tumor is small, is expected a low growth rate |
| the physician tests for an enlarged prostate, lumps or | | | | or when medical treatment proves to be rather risky |
| any abnormal texture by inserting a lubricated and | | | | and may lead to death. The patient has to be |
| gloved finger into the rectum. | | | | monitored frequently with this treatment, but no |
| The prostate cells produce PSA, and with the PSA | | | | treatment is administered. |
| test, its level in the blood stream is determined. Men | | | | |