The prostate is the gland below a man’s bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. It is rare in men younger than 40. Understanding prostate health is essential. Almost half of prostate cancer cases will come out of the United States, where 1 in 6 men are at risk of getting prostate cancer. Of the Americans diagnosed with it, there is a likelihood that 10% will succumb.
The cause of this cancer is not established but hormonal, genetic, environmental and dietary factors are involved in some cases. The male sex hormone testosterone aids the growth of prostrate cancer cells. Risk increases with age more rapidly than any other cancer. Men who have a history of prostate cancer in their family, especially a close relative such as father or brother are at an increased risk. African American men are 61% more likely to develop prostate cancer compared with Caucasian men and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease.
Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling; low back pain; pain while ejaculating are some of the symptoms experienced by men. But there is a good chance that a person never experiences any of these symptoms and is diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. In the advanced stages the patient might experience bone pain, weight loss, and blood in the urine or semen, pain in the loins, pelvis or lower back.
The treatment of Prostrate Cancer rests on many factors. First it has to be known whether the caner is present within the prostrate (localized) or else it has spread throughout the body (advanced). Prostate cancer is treated with different methods like surgery, proton therapy, radiation therapy, occasionally chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or a combination of these.
