Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

How true the words: “Know thy enemy”.
In the world we occupy today, a whole lot of battle is ensuing. Nonetheless, our health is also an active battlefield. This is because we have cultivated the drive to succeed and achieve greatly.

Invariably, we need our wellness top-notch. Prostate Cancer is one of the silent assassins that eliminates excellence and rewarding performance.

PROSTATE CANCER, WHAT IS IT?

The Prostate is a small organ (actually called a gland) that is a major part of the male reproductive system. It is seen just between the Penis and the Bladder. The prostate gland functions to send out a fluid that nourishes activates and protects sperm.

When ejaculating at sexual intercourse, the prostate gland contracts and releases this fluid into the urethra (the tube-like channel which connects the penis to the bladder, prostate gland, and testis) and leaves the body as semen.
If the cells in this gland begin to grow abnormally and out of control, this is Prostate Cancer.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Men.

Yes, men, in general, are at the risk of getting prostate cancer. Age can be a contributing factor, due to the tendency of the prostate gland to enlarge as the man ages. Therefore this occurs during mid-life (late 40s and above), and the possibility of getting this cancer of the prostate gland is high.

Center for disease control (C.D.C) reports that the risks are higher in most African American males and those men with a history of the cancerous tumor of the prostate in their families.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The sly part is this: Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms. Why is this so ? According to published medical reports, one reason for this is the way the cancerous tumor grows. Most times symptoms are detected early only if cancer grows near the tube from which urine passes through (the urethra) and presses against it, altering the way the man urinates.

However, because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part of the prostate gland (the outer part), early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urethra and as such causes no symptom.

Nevertheless, advanced prostate cancer has symptoms. These may include some or all of the following:
o Trouble urinating or emptying the bladder
o Decreased force in the stream or flow of urine
o Blood in the urine
o Blood in the semen
o Bone pain
o Losing weight without trying
o Erectile dysfunction
o Loss of bladder control
o Painful ejaculation

Note, please, that all these symptoms can be caused by other related health problems. Having a routine check-up is vital. Medical procedures like Digital Rectal Examination (D.R.E), Prostate-specific antigen (P.S.A) blood test can be employed to effectively diagnose prostate cancer.

Medical experts recommend a healthy lifestyle of good, healthy food, exercise, and regular conversation with the doctor, so you can be well-armed to fight prostate cancer and other “enemies that threaten man’s cherished health.

ARE THERE ANY CURE?

The fact that prostate cancer cells often grow slowly, most men may not immediately need to undergo treatment. Patients may be candidates for regular and active watching to detect the growth rate of the tumor.
Meanwhile, other treatment options for prostate cancer include:
o Surgery
o Chemotherapy
o Radiation therapy
o Hormone therapy
o Immunotherapy
o Clinical trials