Prostate Cancer Warning Signs
PROSTATE CANCER WARNING SIGNS: Prostate cancer is a prevalent condition among men, and recognizing its warning signs is crucial for early detection and effective treatment.
Common warning signs may include urinary changes, such as frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping urination, blood in urine or semen, as well as erectile dysfunction and discomfort in the pelvic region.
Regular health check-ups and awareness of these signs can significantly improve the chances of detecting prostate cancer in its early, more treatable stages.
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PROSTATE CANCER WARNING SIGNS
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Prostate Cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in males.
The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
CAUSES: The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown, but certain risk factors have been identified.
These include:
Age: Prostate cancer is more common in older men, with the majority of cases occurring in those over 65 years of age.
Family History: Having a close relative, such as a father or brother, with prostate cancer increases the risk.
Ethnicity: Prostate cancer is more prevalent in African-American men compared to other ethnicities. It is less common in Asian and Hispanic men.
Genetic Factors: Certain inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
SYMPTOMS: In the early stages, prostate cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms.
However, as the cancer progresses, some common symptoms may include:
Urinary Problems: Difficulty starting or stopping urination, weak urine flow, frequent urination (especially at night), blood in the urine, or pain during urination.
Erectile Dysfunction: Trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.
Blood in semen.
Discomfort or pain in the pelvic area, lower back, or hips.
DIAGNOSIS: Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed through a combination of methods, including:
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: This blood test measures the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate. Elevated levels may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
Digital rectal examination (DRE): A healthcare provider examines the prostate gland by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to check for any abnormalities.
Biopsy: If the PSA levels are high or abnormalities are detected during the DRE, a biopsy may be performed. A small sample of prostate tissue is taken and examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.
STAGING AND TREATMENT: Prostate cancer staging helps determine the extent and spread of the disease, which guides treatment decisions.
The stages range from I to IV, with IV indicating an advanced stage.
Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on various factors, including the stage of cancer, overall health, and patient preferences.
Common treatment approaches include:
Active Surveillance: Monitoring the cancer closely without immediate treatment, especially for low-risk or early-stage cancers.
Surgery: Surgical removal of the prostate gland (prostatectomy) may be recommended for localized prostate cancer.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy X-rays or other radiation sources are used to kill cancer cells.
Hormone Therapy: Medications are used to block or reduce the production of male hormones (androgens), which can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Medications are used to kill cancer cells, particularly in advanced cases.
Immunotherapy: Stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
It’s important for individuals at risk or experiencing symptoms to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis, advice, and guidance regarding treatment options.
Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable.
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Prostate Cancer Warning Signs
MORE INFORMATION
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include increased frequency of passing urine, having the sensation of needing to pass urine very urgently, needing to get up to pass urine many times during the night and having difficulty starting the urine stream.
These symptoms arise in prostate cancer when the prostate enlarges and this extra abnormal tissue encroaches on the urethra.
The urethra is the narrow passage through which the urine travels from the bladder, through the prostate to the penis and thence to the toilet.
As the urethra is pinched tighter and tighter within the enlarging prostate the urine has difficulty making its way through.
Similar symptoms may be caused by another much more common prostate condition, BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy) where the prostate is also enlarged but the enlargement is non-cancerous.
Other symptoms of prostate cancer may include blood in the urine or semen, problems with erections, loss of bladder control, and bone pain in the lower back, hips or ribs (if the cancer has spread beyond the prostate to the bone).
Fortunately these days many men with prostate cancer are diagnosed well before the cancer has progressed to the point of causing symptoms.
This is because they may have been tested for PSA (prostate specific antigen) by a blood test with their GP.
PSA is a blood test that detects a specific protein produced by the prostate that tends to be higher when the prostate is enlarged or cancerous.
If your doctor suspects your friend may have prostate on the basis of his symptoms or PSA level or both, there are further tests required including a digital rectal examination where the doctor feels inside the back passage to check the surface of the prostate for any irregularities, swelling, hardening or other abnormalities that could be indicative of a tumour.
The diagnosis is made by doing a biopsy (taking a small tissue sample for laboratory examination) of the prostate.
This is done by a specialist urologist under ultrasound guidance using a small probe inserted into the anus.
The biopsy can show whether cancer is present and if so how aggressive or advanced it is.
This can help determine what treatment, if any, is required.
Depending on the age, general health condition and personal preferences of the individual, as well as the stage and grade of the cancer, a doctor will decide the best treatment for the individual, bearing in mind the potential complications and adverse effects.
If you or someone you care about has any concerns regarding prostate cancer or symptoms relating to the urinary tract or sexual functioning, consult your doctor who can explain the likely possibilities as well as your options regarding further investigation and treatment.
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Prostate Cancer Warning Signs
MS ALEENA ASPLEY
A blog by Aleena who is a Certified Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Sex Educator, Relationship & Intimacy Coach & NEO Tantra Professional.
Aleena Aspley – Brisbane Qld
Certified Sexological Bodyworker
Somatic Sex Education
AleenaAspley.com
YoniWhisperer.com
LingamWhisperer.com.au
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Prostate Cancer Warning Signs