Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, with over one million new cases diagnosed each year. And despite advances in prostate cancer treatment, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the disease still kills more men than any other cancer. That’s why it’s important to take steps to prevent it, like getting screened for the disease and knowing the symptoms.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the prostate, a small gland located near the base of the penis. The prostate is responsible for producing semen and urine. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, accounting for about 27% of all male cancers.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include difficulty urinating, pain when passing urine, low libido, and fatigue. If left untreated, prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and cause death.
There is no known cure for prostate cancer, but early detection is key to treatment success. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends getting screened for prostate cancer every year starting at age 50. If you have any questions or concerns about your screening status, talk to your doctor.
The ACS has created a website to help people learn more about prostate cancer and how to get screened for it: www.prostatecancer.org
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and it’s the second leading cause of death from cancer. Research shows that prostate cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA in the cells that make up the prostate gland.
The Different Types of Prostate Cancer
For prostate cancer, the outlook is good. However, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men, and it causes more deaths than any other type of cancer. There are five types of prostate cancer: localized, advanced, metastatic, Gleason scores 9 or higher, and unknown.
The most common form of prostate cancer is localized (or benign). In about half of all cases, this type of prostate cancer will not change or worsen over time. If it does grow or spread, however, it is usually treated with surgery and radiation therapy. Advanced prostate cancers are more likely to spread to other parts of the body (metastasize), and they are more difficult to treat. Gleason’s score of 9 or higher is the most important factor in predicting how well a man will respond to treatment for prostate cancer. About half of all men with this type of tumor will die from the disease.
If a man has an unknown type of prostate cancer, his best chance for survival lies in finding and treating the disease as early as possible. Treatment options for advanced prostate cancers depend on the stage of the tumor and the man’s overall health. Many men who undergo treatment for localized or advanced
The Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
This month, we are celebrating National Prostate Health Month! This is an important time to remember to take care of your prostate and to get regular checkups. There are many things you can do to protect your prostate health, including getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet. Here are some of the most common prostate cancer treatments:
1. Surgery: This is the most common type of treatment for prostate cancer. Surgery removes the cancerous tissue from the prostate. There are several types of surgery that can be used, including open surgery (where the entire prostate is exposed), laparoscopic surgery (where only a small area of the prostate is exposed), and robotic surgery (which uses a remote control to operate the surgical instruments). The success rate for surgery varies depending on the type of surgery performed and the size and location of the tumor. Most men have a good outcome following surgery, but there is a risk of complications, such as urinary incontinence (a problem with going to the bathroom) or erectile dysfunction (a problem with getting an erection).
2. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to damage or kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery
Conclusion
It’s National Prostate Health Month, and that means it’s the perfect time to talk about prostate health! The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system that plays an important role in both sexual function and overall health. Here are some facts about the prostate that you may not know:
1) The average age for men to experience symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is around 60 years old.
2) About one-third of men will develop BPH at some point during their lives.
3) A healthy prostate can help prevent urinary tract infections, rectal cancer, and other problems related to getting a good night’s sleep.
4) According to the American Urological Association, more than half of all men who die from prostate cancer were diagnosed before the age of 65 years.