Prostate cancer (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==How do I know if I have | ==How do I know if I have prostate cancer and what are the symptoms of prostate cancer?== | ||
Early prostate cancer does not make any symptoms. When the cancer grows larger or spreads, people may notice one or more symptoms as the following. | Early prostate cancer does not make any symptoms. When the cancer grows larger or spreads, people may notice one or more symptoms as the following. | ||
Revision as of 13:43, 17 July 2009
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What is prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the third leading-cause of death in men of all ages. It is a malignant tumor that begins in the prostate gland of men which produces fluid for semen. More than 95% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, cancer that develops in glandular tissue. Some prostate cancers grow very slowly and may cause no symptom or problem for several years. However, if cancer does metastasize to other organs, it may cause pain (especially bone pain), fatigue, and other symptoms. For prostate cancer, levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is the main marker to diagnose and detect after treatment. Prostate cancer treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or control of hormones that affect the cancer.
How do I know if I have prostate cancer and what are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early prostate cancer does not make any symptoms. When the cancer grows larger or spreads, people may notice one or more symptoms as the following.
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Frequent urination
- The urge to urinate frequently at night
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Hematospermia (blood in the seminal fluid)
- Pain or burning during urination (much less common)
other health problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
If cancer has spread, a man may experience:
- Bone pain in the back, hips, thighs, shoulders, or in other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Other symptoms, depending on the location
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Studies have found a number of factors that may increase the risk of stomach cancer. Some you can change and others you cannot change.
Risk factors that you cannot change
- Age: Like some cancer, the risk of prostate cancer increases with age, rising rapidly after age 50. :*Race: Clinical data show that Aafrican-American men are at high risk for prostate cancer than the white men. Scientists belive that a high-fat diet, genetic factors and other socioeconomic factors may contribute to the cause.
- Family history: Clinical survys demonstrate that a man who has a father or brother with prostate cancer has a higher risk of developing the disease than a man who does not. Researchers have discovered specific genes that may possibly be associated with prostate cancer.
- Hormones: Clinical surveys show that high levels of testosterone may speed up or cause the development of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does not develop in men who were castrated before puberty and whose bodies no longer make testosterone. Androgen deprivation therapy which is to stop the production of testosterone often used to treat advanced prostate cancer.
Risk factor that you can change
Many studies have indicated bad diet habits are associated with prostate cancer. Although there is not enough data yet to make clear recommendations on the role diet plays in prostate cancer, the following may be helpful:
- A diet low in fat, especially animal fat
- A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and legumes
- Food rich in Selenium
How to know you have prostate cancer?
It is hard to diagnose prostate cancer in its early stages because some grow very slowly and may cause no symptom or problem for several years. However, if cancer does metastasize to other organs, it may cause pain (especially bone pain), fatigue, and other symptoms. So, if you have those symptoms, you had better go to see the doctor to do some tests. The tests include lab tests, image tests and endoscopy.
When to seek urgent medical care
Treatment options
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