Prostate only in men, therefore only men who may pose a risk of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer does not give typical symptoms at an early stage. This is what causes many cases of prostate cancer is not detected until the cancer spread (metastasis) outside the prostate. Are you one of the risk? Find out more about prostate cancer through the following article.The prostate is a gland of a walnut that is located just below the bladder and are present only in men. Prostate is the producer of most of the fluid in semen (semen) that keep the sperm to stay alive. The prostate gland begins to develop before a baby is born and will continue to grow until it reaches adulthood. Prostate development is influenced by male sex hormones, namely androgens. The main androgen hormone is testosterone.
Along with increasing age, testosterone causes prostate slowly enlarges. An enlarged prostate can obstruct the flow of urine through the urethra (the vessels that carry urine from the bladder), so that complicate or slow the discharge of urine during urination. This condition is called benign prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia / BPH), but benign prostate enlargement is not cancer. Referred to as prostate cancer if the prostate gland cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably, so urgent damaging surrounding tissue. According to the American Cancer Society, in general, prostate cancer develops slowly. Based on autopsy results in the United States, elderly men who died of an illness, it also suffered from prostate cancer but they do not realize it. In this study also explained about 70-90% of prostate cancer patients was 80 years old.
No Typical Symptoms
Prostate cancer does not give typical symptoms at an early stage. This is what causes many cases of prostate cancer is not detected until the cancer spread (metastasis) outside the prostate. Symptoms that arise depending on the stage of the cancer and the extent of prostate cancer has spread. The early symptoms of prostate cancer that appears complaint micturition (urination) caused by cancer has been pressing the bladder or urethra. However, this urinary complaint also commonly found in other prostate-related diseases, such as benign prostate enlargement and prostate infections (prosatitis). So to distinguish between prostate cancer, benign prostate enlargement and prostate infection required further examination. Micturition complaints that arise such as frequent urination with urine stream weak and often incomplete. The presence of prostate cancer can cause the blood out in the urine or semen (cement). Prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the pelvis can cause leg swelling and discomfort in the pelvic area. While advanced-stage prostate cancer that has spread to the bone will cause pain in the bones that do not go away, fractures, and pressure on the spine.
Identify The Risk Factors
The cause of prostate cancer is still unclear. However, research has found several factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer. By knowing the risk factors can help determine when you should make screening for prostate cancer. Risk factors include the following:
Age
It is the biggest risk factors of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 40 years, but the risk of prostate cancer increases after age 50 years. Two out of three cases of prostate cancer found in men aged 65 years.
Race / ethnicity
Black people have a higher risk of prostate cancer than white people.
Family genealogy
If your father or your brother with prostate cancer, then your risk would increase by more than two-fold. The risk will be higher if you have any relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer under 65 years old.
Diet
High-fat diet and obesity (overweight) will increase the risk of prostate cancer. In theory, the fat will increase the production of testosterone which will help the development of prostate cancer cells.
Importance of Early Detection
Because the causes of prostate cancer is unclear, the prevention of prostate cancer has not been fully performed. One effort is by early detection of prostate cancer so that a fatal result can be avoided. American Cancer Society recommends annual prostate cancer screening for men over the age of 50 years, the man who at least still have a life expectancy of at least 10 years, and young men who have a high risk of prostate cancer. If you are black and have a family history of prostate cancer, then you can begin to perform the examination at the age of 45 years. The annual examination to detect prostate cancer early, making it easier to do treatment. If discovered early, prostate cancer can be cured. This is where the importance of early detection of prostate cancer. This examination includes a digital rectal examination and PSA test.
Digital rectal examination / DRE
Using gloves, and a lubricated finger, the doctor will examine your prostate, if enlarged and there was a lump. Digital rectal examination procedure may cause a little discomfort, but this is a quick and easy inspection.
Test PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen / prostate-specific antigen)
A blood test aims to measure the levels of protein that is released by the prostate gland. When high levels indicate prostate cancer. However, elevated levels of PSA can sometimes also be caused by prostate enlargement, infection or inflammation of the prostate.
If your PSA test scores high, then the doctor will recommend prostate biopsy to see if you are suffering from prostate cancer. Prostate biopsy performed to obtain samples of prostate tissue are then examined under a microscope to detect the presence or absence of cancer cells. Ultrasonic examination (transrectal ultrasound) is another way to detect prostate cancer.
Options for Therapy
There are several treatment options prostate cancer. In some men, the combination therapy, such as surgery followed by radiation or radiation combined with hormone therapy, give good results. The best therapy for each men with prostate cancer may be different, depending on how fast the cancer spreads, age, and life expectancy. In addition, the benefits and potential side effects of therapy should also be considered. Prostate cancer treatment therapy options include:
Watchful waiting
Required PSA test, digital rectal examination, and routine prostate biopsy to monitor the development of prostate cancer. During the watchful waiting, are not given any medical treatment. Watchful waiting is an option if you do not show any symptoms of cancer, is expected to grow very slowly, the cancer is small and only contained in one area of the prostate.
Radiation
By using high-powered X-rays to kill cancer cells. Shortcomings, this therapy can also affect other healthy tissues.
Hormonal therapy
Hormone therapy intended to prevent the body from producing male sex hormones, namely testosterone, which can stimulate the development of prostate cancer cells. Hormonal therapy is widely used in advanced-stage prostate cancer to reduce the size of the cancer and slow the progression of cancer.
Appointment of the prostate gland
Appointment of the prostate gland through surgery (radical prostatectomy) is done for cancer is still confined to the prostate gland alone.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses chemicals to prevent the development of cancer cells. Chemotherapy is used in cases of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
For men who have been sentenced prosat cancer, this is a scary thing. Prostate cancer not only affects the quality of their lives, but also because of the therapy carried out can lead to side effects such as urinary control problems (incontinence) and the most frightening men is erectile dysfunction (impotence). There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of prostate cancer, including:
Reduce consumption of fat
High-fat diet known to be associated with prostate cancer. So, limit your fat intake and start multiply the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber can help lower the risk of prostate cancer.
Exercising regularly
In general, exercising regularly can lower the risk of cancer, including prostate cancer. The sport proved to strengthen the immune system, improve blood circulation, and prevent obesity.
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