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