PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer happens in the prostate, a gland located near the bladder and in front of the rectum in the male body.  The prostate appears to be a walnut-shaped gland and is part of the man’s reproductive system.

Prostate cancer is when the cells in the prostate start growing and growing in large numbers to become out of control.  The urethra is a tube that passes through the prostate and carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis. 

All prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas (malignant tumors) because this type of cancer starts in the secretion glands. However, people may develop other prostate cancer types, such as small cell carcinomas, Transitional cell carcinomas, Neuroendocrine tumors, and Sarcomas.

What are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Following are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer, which becomes more common as the disease develops to other stages:

• Frequent and urgent need to urinate
• Irregular urine flow
• Painful urination
• Bowel incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Blood in urine
• Pain in the lower back, hip, and chest
• Numbness of leg and feet

What causes Prostate Cancer?

There is no significant cause of prostate cancer; it is usually observed in old males or males above 50. This is because damage to the prostate cell’s DNA is more likely in men over 50-55. This leads to the development of abnormal prostate cells to grow out of control and become tumors.

Below mentioned are some of the most common factors that may increase the risk of prostate cancer:

Age

Age is the most common factor that may cause or increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Family History

People with a history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Smoking

As we all know, smoking increases the risk of almost every disease. Additionally, it is essential to note that smoking doubles the risk of prostate cancer. 

Diet

Diet and lifestyle choices put us at increased risk of prostate cancer. Consuming more calories, animal fats, refined sugar, fewer fruits and vegetables, and lack of exercise is considered to increase the risk of prostate at advanced stages.

How is Prostate Cancer treated?

Treatment of prostate cancer will vary depending on the stage and other factors, such asGleason score and PSA levels. The following are the types of treatment that one may undergo to treat prostate cancer:

Monitoring and Waiting

Prostate cancer grows slowly in the body; therefore, the doctor may advise waiting and watching for other symptoms and conducting testing regularly to outweigh the side effects of treatment.

Surgery

In cases when surgery is needed, the doctor may perform a radical prostatectomy to remove the tumor and tissues near the prostate.

Radiation Therapy

Doctors may use radiation therapy to kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing. There are two ways of performing radiation therapy:

External Radiation Therapy: In this method, the machine outside the body will send the radiations where cancer cells are growing. This is done while keeping in mind to reduce the risk of health issues and kill the prostate tumor.

Internal radiation therapy:  With this method, the doctor implants the radiation seeds near the prostate to kill the tumor. This is done with the help of imaging scans, such as ultrasound.

Systemic Therapies: The doctor may recommend a series of chemotherapy and immunotherapy therapies. If cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland. These therapies include

Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals that have expertise in writing for healthcare; suppose you see any issues related to urination, prostate, ED, or any other health, we strictly advise you to seek medical consultation.