Prostate Cancer and Its Dangers
Posted on August 26, 2008
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that is made up of cells from the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and the second highest cause of deaths from cancer, after lung cancer. It is a complex disease that predominantly affects older men and is normally one of the more slowly growing cancers.
Cancer is most frequently caused by injury to one or more of a cell’s genes. Cancer cells that get to be very abnormal can break off from a tumor and spread (also known as metastasize). Cancer cells that spread to other areas of the body can create tumors that can grow and squeeze other body parts. Cancer that develops in the prostate may stay localized (solely contained within the prostate) for years and cause few noticeable symptoms.
Prostate cancer doesn’t occur overnight but slowly emerges over time as a result of progressive changes in cell structure and behavior. It is found more in some racial and ethnic groups than in others, though medical experts don’t understand why. Prostate cancer is more commonplace among African American men than among white men. Men with a family link to prostate cancer through brothers or fathers also are at a greater risk of getting the disease under 50.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Treatment is individual to every case and some types of prostatitis can be harder to treat, especially if symptoms have been ignored over a long period of time. Treatments vary and can including antibiotics, non steroid anti-inflammatory agents, muscle relaxants and often medications for chronic pain.
Treatment can bestow extra years of life for the patients and stop the agony of the disease, but cannot ordinarily cure them. Prostate problems can usually be treated without affecting sexual performance. Treatment for prostate cancer works best as long as the disease is found early. Treatment is painless, though some men may experience diarrhea, urinary problems and dry skin. It will be up to your attending physician to choose which treatment options will work best.
Prostate Cancer Detective work
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, have found that the hormone estrogen plays a major part in about half of all prostate cancers. They have isolated the first mutant gene known to raise the risk of prostate cancer, possibly by so much as three times. Research continues to better comprehend the link between genetic mutations and prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms caused by enlarged prostate growth can embody:
- Difficulty when passing urine
- The need to urinate more often, especially at night
- Blood in the urine
- Painful sensations when passing urine
- Pain in the back and/or pelvis linked with urinary problems.
- Symptoms of prostate cancer don’t normally appear until the cancer is in it’s advanced stages.
Prostate cancer isn’t always an aggressive disease and is very rare in men under 50. Prostate cancer is unlike any other cancer because it is relatively slow-growing and though it can kill, it often isn’t lethal.
If you enjoyed this article on Prostate Cancer you can find many more at http://www.prostate-cancers.info
Cancer has killed more of my family than anything else. Make sure you don’t die through a lack of knowledge. More informative articles on Prostate Cancer are available here
M_F_Hargreaves
Last 6 posts in Prostate Cancer
- Turmeric For Cancer Prevention - Another New Hope in Its Treatment - March 24th, 2009
- An Apple A Day: The Myths, Misconceptions, and Truths About the Foods We Eat: Joe Schwarcz: Books - February 17th, 2009
- Prostate Cancer Screening (Current Clinical Urology): Donna Pauler Ankerst, Catherine M. Tangen, Jr., Ian M. Thompson: Books - February 11th, 2009
- Site-Specific Cancer Series: Prostate Cancer: William P. Hogle: Books - February 11th, 2009
- Team Up Your Foods to Fight Breast Cancer - January 21st, 2009
- Does Sun Exposure Cause Skin Cancer? - December 6th, 2008
- Skin Cancer Types, Risk Factors, Signs and Treatment - September 3rd, 2008
- Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy - How It's Used and Why it Works - August 26th, 2008
- Why Obesity May Lead To Poorer Prostate Cancer Outcomes - August 26th, 2008
- Don't Ignore Your Yearly PSA Test, it Could Save Your Life Someday - Benefits of Taking the PSA Test - August 26th, 2008
There is currently a raging debate about whether conventional or natural treatments are best for fighting your breast cancer.?Those on the conventional side will say that cancer cannot be cured, only managed, and that natural treatments have not been backed up scientifically.?Those on the natural side will say that conventional treatments are barbaric and usually do more harm than good.
I am a proponent of the natural way of doing things.?I believe that your body has developed breast cancer because of imbalances internally and if you can correct those imbalances, you can eliminate the cancer entirely.?Cutting off body parts and pumping… Continue reading
I imagine just about every woman after a certain age has some fear of breast cancer.?That’s not to say it’s on our minds night and day.?But with all we hear in the media and from doctors, it certainly has to be in there somewhere.?We all know someone who has it, has had it, or maybe has even died from it.?But as with all things like this, breast cancer starts with symptoms.?Here’s what to look for if you’re concerned and what to do to fix it if you find anything:
Lumps - Everyone knows this one.?Any odd shaped, irregular lumps in your… Continue reading
I’m sure most, if not all of us have had someone close to us diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of us have watched that person go through round after round of chemotherapy. Many of us have watched as their bodies were forever surgically altered. Many of us have watched them lose their battle and pass away. Whatever your experience may be, one thing is certain. Trying to find the right way to help someone with breast cancer can be tough.
I’ll fully admit that there are no right or wrong answers here. It will largely… Continue reading
Related posts
» Filed Under Prostate Cancer
Comments
Leave a Reply