The prostate is a reasonably small gland that is approximately the size of a walnut and is situated under the bladder and in front of the rectum. An important gland, the prostate produces the fluid that helps to carry male sperm.
A significant problem that can and often does strike the prostate gland is prostate cancer which is a serious condition that presently strikes roughly one man in ten and is the second most common cause of cancer related death in men today.
Just how does this condition begin?
Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if left untreated, can spread into the nearby tissue and organs and into the lymph nodes and bone.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
More than 70% of men affected with with disease are over the age of 65.
Men who have close blood relatives such as a father or grandfather who have suffered from cancer of the prostate are up to 11 times more likely to contract prostate cancer.
The death rate from this condition rises with weight and is especially high in obese men.
Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to develop this disease than those of African decent.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself from contracting prostate cancer?
In reality there is nothing which you can do to prevent yourself from getting this condition although there is some belief that eating a healthy diet can reduce the possibilities. At the moment there is very little substantive evidence to support this.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
There are several tests available including the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, a digital rectal examination and a biopsy.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test which detects the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High prostate specific antigen levels do not mean that you have prostate cancer but are an indication of a possible problem that should be investigated further.
The digital rectal examination requires a doctor to put on a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the anus to feel the prostate for enlargement or irregularity.
A biopsy means your doctor will take several tissue samples from your prostate which will then be checked under a microscope for signs of cancer cells.
A significant problem that can and often does strike the prostate gland is prostate cancer which is a serious condition that presently strikes roughly one man in ten and is the second most common cause of cancer related death in men today.
Just how does this condition begin?
Prostate cancer starts as a malignant tumor growing in the prostate gland which, if left untreated, can spread into the nearby tissue and organs and into the lymph nodes and bone.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
More than 70% of men affected with with disease are over the age of 65.
Men who have close blood relatives such as a father or grandfather who have suffered from cancer of the prostate are up to 11 times more likely to contract prostate cancer.
The death rate from this condition rises with weight and is especially high in obese men.
Caucasian men are more than twice as likely to develop this disease than those of African decent.
Is there anything I can do to prevent myself from contracting prostate cancer?
In reality there is nothing which you can do to prevent yourself from getting this condition although there is some belief that eating a healthy diet can reduce the possibilities. At the moment there is very little substantive evidence to support this.
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?
There are several tests available including the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, a digital rectal examination and a biopsy.
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test which detects the level of a prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. High prostate specific antigen levels do not mean that you have prostate cancer but are an indication of a possible problem that should be investigated further.
The digital rectal examination requires a doctor to put on a glove and insert a lubricated finger into the anus to feel the prostate for enlargement or irregularity.
A biopsy means your doctor will take several tissue samples from your prostate which will then be checked under a microscope for signs of cancer cells.
About the Author:
Call by The ProstrateProblemCenter.com for much more information about prostate problems including everything from enlarged prostate symptoms to the PSA test
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