The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland and an integral part of the men’s reproductive system. Located directly under the bladder, the prostate plays an important role in the urine control and erectile function.Prostate cancer develops when the abnormal cells within the prostate gland become malignant thus forming a tumor. As compared to other types of cancer, prostate cancer is said to grow at a relatively slower pace. In addition, there are three distinct types of prostate cancer:
The occurrence of prostate cancer is very high in men with as many as 1 in 7 men developing it at some stage or the other during their lifetime. As a matter of fact, over the years the frequency of prostate cancer has increased owing to increased life expectancy rates. This coupled with the fact that 80 percent of all prostate cancer cases are prevalent in men 65 years of age (or older). As per The American Cancer Society, this form of cancer is the most common cancer in men while ranking seventh as the leading cause responsible for male cancer deaths. Moreover, despite being highly treatable, far too many men suffer needlessly from prostate cancer because they failed to identify the symptoms early on or lacked the knowledge to prevent it.
In most cases, prostate cancer tends to stay dormant for the longest time. Studies have revealed that only in a small minority of cases do they go on to develop actively into cancer thereby putting pressure on the urethra thus resulting in a gamut of health issues.
One should always keep in mind that these urinary symptoms aren’t always indicative of prostate cancer. There are other disorders or diseases which could display similar symptoms which is why one should always speak to their health care professional for an accurate diagnosis of the same.
There is a range of factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer. These are as listed below:
It must be said that it’s difficult for doctors to determine with sufficient accuracy how threatening the prostate cancer is early on. However, with early detection and treatment, one can significantly boost their chances of surviving prostate cancer. Common diagnostic tests for prostate cancer include
Based on the diagnostic results, a treatment plan will be tailored for the individual. Factors such as age, symptoms, level/stage of cancer, will also be taken into account while determining the best possible treatment alternatives. The possible treatment choices include:
In addition, doctors might also recommend the affected individual to make certain lifestyle changes. Accordingly, a higher intake of green leafy vegetables and fruits will be recommended. Doctors will also advise to cut down on meat consumption and saturated fats. Other lifestyle changes including quitting smoking, cutting down on alcohol consumption, incorporating a regular exercise routine will also be suggested to improve health and reduce general cancer risk.
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