Prostate Cancer-WhatÆs a Man to Do

Prostate Cancer: What’s a Man to Do? You should know about the danger of prostate cancer, it is even deadly, to your health.

This advice seems obvious, but too many men are unnecessarily devastated by this disease because of what they are not aware of. Unlike many other cancers, the incidence of this ailment increases dramatically with age; over 80 percent of all such cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65. Early detection of prostate cancer is important and is a necessity. Lack of knowledge can lead to destruction. This can certainly be said about prostate cancer.

It is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system that functions to provide fluid and nourishment for the sperm. It rests just below the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra – the tube that passes through to exit the body. In prostate cancer, normal cells within the prostate gland change and begin to behave abnormally.

The exact cause of this problem is unknown, but genetics and diet are significant factors. Men whose fathers or brothers have the disease are at higher risk for prostate cancer. And a high fat diet and smoking also increase the risk. A low fat diet, however, which also includes tomatoes, soy products, vitamins D and E, and selenium, decreases the risk.

Many men believe they can wait until they have some symptoms in order to see a doctor. Unfortunately, most often it does not cause any symptoms until it is too late.

Symptoms such as hesitant or weak urinary stream, awakening at night to use the bathroom, or a sensation of a full bladder even after you have gone to the bathroom are typical of a noncancerous condition of an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BHP. This condition most often can be treated with medication and does not lead to prostate cancer. But prostate cancer can also have these symptoms, so it is important to have them checked out by a physician. Symptoms such as blood in the urine or semen, or pain in the bones, can indicate cancer that has advanced beyond curable stage, so it is important to see a doctor before these symptoms appear.

This type of cancer can be cured if found early enough. The best way to accomplish this is through screening by a combination of two tests: the prostate specific antigen test (PSA), a blood test, and the digital rectal examination (DRE), which allows the physician to check the prostate gland directly with his or her finger. It is vital that both tests be done, because even if one test is normal, it can still be present. For most men, it is recommended that these tests be done annually, beginning at age 50.

If either the PSA or DRE is abnormal, the next step is prostate biopsy. This is how prostate cancer is diagnosed. The biopsy is usually done through the rectum, using ultrasound to visualize the prostate gland and direct the biopsy needle to any areas that look abnormal. Small samples of prostate tissue are obtained and examined for cancer cells.

You should be more cautious about your health. If you experience the<a target="_new" href="http://www.ProstateCancerSigns.org">early symptoms of prostate cancer</a>never take it for granted. You should not avoid yourself from the medical experts. Don’t let your family suffer because of your own negligence.<a target="_new" href="http://www.ProstateCancerSigns.org">Click here</a> for more details about the discreet symptoms of prostate cancer