Prostate Cancer
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is an uncontrollable growth of cells in the prostate gland – a male sex gland. The prostate gland is located at the base of bladder and produces fluids that protect and nourishes sperm. The normal prostate gland is the size of a walnut at young age and enlarges with age.
Prostate cancer is like any other form of cancer that grows slowly. However, there are possibilities that it can spread to the other parts of the body.
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a walnut sized gland that makes and stores seminal fluid. Its main function is to store and secrete a clear, basic fluid that constitutes up to 1/3 of the semen. A healthy human prostate is slightly larger than a walnut. It surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder, which can be felt during a rectal exam.
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The male urethra performs two functions: to carry urine from the bladder during urination and to carry semen during ejaculation.
To function properly, the prostate needs male hormones those are primarily responsible for male sex characteristics.
Cause of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer mostly diagnosed in men. It develops from the cells within the gland. Dietary or other factors within environment and depending upon the age, and family history of the patient can help detect the prostate cancer. However, the exact cause is still not known. |
Testosterone - Testosterone the male hormone does not cause prostate cancer but is known to feed its growth. Therefore, some prostate cancer treatments are aimed at blocking the body's production of testosterone.
Age – Men over 50 years of age are at high risk of developing prostate cancer. However, it’s not sure that age factor can cause prostate cancer.
Genetics – Researches are finding that genetics reason could be the flaws that are responsible for many cancers including prostate cancer. Recent research has shown that a genetic defect may keep some men from developing a certain enzyme. This enzyme could mount a defense against cells vulnerable to cancer-causing agents in the environment.
Diet – Some further studies have found that insufficient diet may increase the risk of developing cancer including prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
The most common symptoms includes are listed as follows:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty in starting urination
- Interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
Risks of Developing Prostate Cancer
A man's risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. However, the risk of prostate cancer increases with the increase of men’s age over and above 50.
Can Prostate Cancer be treated?
There are many treatment options for prostate cancer. The stage and the type of the disease determine the most common recommended treatment and when it is discovered. The main treated for prostate cancer are as follows:
Surgical- Removal of the prostate gland
Radiotherapy – High x-ray radiation to help destroy the cancerous cells
Chemotherapy is used which involves the use of drug or drugs usually taken orally.
How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed?
Prostate cancer can be diagnosed with the help of the following options:
CT scan – A CT scan is the common x-ray procedure that uses a computer and x-ray beams to produce images of tissues, bone and blood vessels. Thus, with CT scan the areas affected with tumour can be seen well than other.
Biopsy – It is a technique in which sample of tissues are taken through a needle and are examined under a microscope to see of cells are malignant. It is very highly precise way to tell if prostate cancer is present.
Ultrasound – Ultrasound uses high-frequency waves that bounce organs and body structure and produces computerized image. It is process of performing a sensor over the surface of the body.
Can Prostate cancer be prevented?
Reason’s are not clear what causes prostate cancer; there is no guarantee of prevention. However, doctors believe that you can reduce your risk for many types of cancer by:
- Not smoking
- Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet
- Getting plenty of exercise
