General Prostate Cancer Information
Prostate cancer is very common among males, although its not the leading form of fatal cancer among males
. It is more likely to occur in males over the age of 40 and is extremely rare in younger males. Prostate cancer is diagnosed and classified for severity and then treated in a variety of different ways.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer-related cause of death for men in the U.S. About 1 in every 36 men will die of prostate cancer and 1 in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. But the number of men diagnosed does not accurately reflect the number of men who will develop prostate cancer. According to one study where doctors examined the bodies of deceased men who died from various causes, doctors found the prevalence of prostate cancer to be as high as 30% for men in their 50s and 80% for men in their 70s! This
prostate cancer information suggests that many men may die without ever knowing that they had prostate cancer! For men that are middle-aged to elderly, its a good idea to get tested. For those experiencing symptoms such as urinary problems, it would also be wise to opt for prostate cancer screening.
The following prostate cancer information refers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment:
Prostate cancer screening is the first step to diagnosing prostate cancer. It usually involves a digital rectal exam (DRE) or PSA test. In a digital rectal exam, a doctor or nurse inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for lumps or abnormal growths. A PSA test is a blood test that determines the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood stream. High PSA levels are often associated with prostate issues such as enlarged prostate or prostate cancer.
After a screening revealing abnormal growths on the prostate or PSA levels, a doctor may order a biopsy of the prostate. A biopsy can confirm the presence of prostate cancer. After diagnosis, more tests are used to determine the state of the cancer. In stage 1, the cancer is located only in the prostate. In stage 2, cancer has spread throughout the entire prostate but is still confined. In stage 3, the cancer has spread locally to structures such as the seminal vesicles, bladder, or rectum. In stage 4, the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.
Based on the stage of the cancer, the doctor will recommend the appropriate form of treatment. Conventional forms of treatment include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.
by: prostate cancer
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