As men become older they run more and more risk of developing prostate cancer. Some doctors advocate regular check-ups after the age of 50 or even 60, but others suggest that you ought to begin checking at 40.
It seems wiser to begin checking as early as you are able and definitely at 40 or 50 years of age, because the earlier it is diagnosed, the more chance you have of surviving it. The difficulty with prostate cancer is that it spreads more quickly than most cancers.
In this article, we will try to give answers to a few basic questions that you may have concerning this male disease. However, there is only space here for the basics, so please take serious questions to your medical doctor.
What is the prostate gland and where is it? The prostate is around the size of a walnut, but is conical in shape. It is part of the male reproductive system and is connected to the penis because it is wrapped around the urethra right up near to the bladder.
This makes the prostate somewhere between the anus and the penis. Because of its location, it is not easy to get to and so most examinations are rectal ie from the colon. Most men find this embarrassing, which is why lots of men put of a check-up until it is too late.
What are the chances of getting prostate cancer? White American males more than the age of 50 have a one-in-six risk of developing some malignancy.
Hispanics and Blacks have a one-in-four chance. However, all these figures rise if there is a history of prostate cancer in the family.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? This question is not easy to answer, because the indications may look like other concerns and everyone knows that ‘all old men’ have bladder issues
The prostate swells as it grows older anyway, so this could be the cause of urination problems. This is characterized by urinating a little at a time, but having to urinate often. Occasionally there are drips too after you have put it away.
The indications of prostate cancer are similar but may include blood in the urine and lower back pain. If you have anything like these problems, you need to have a check-up as soon as possible.
Can prostate cancer be diagnosed early enough to save life? Fortunately, the answer to this is yes. There are two forms of examination: 1] the DRE – digital rectal exam (or ‘finger up the bum’) and 2] the PSA blood test (prostate specific antigen), although this test is often only carried out if the DRE raises suspicions.
If the cancer is diagnosed early enough through regular screening, the chances of living more than five years are more than 90%. Continued success relies on a number of causes, but the cancer can also be totally eliminated never to return.
It can not be stressed too much, that, as with some female-specific cancers, success fighting this cancer depends on catching it early.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of topics, but is now involved with the proton prostate cancer treatment.
