Identification
Prostate cancer is essentially cancer of the prostate, which is a gland located near both the bladder and the urethra in the male body. It is responsible for the production of a large portion of a man's semen. Typically, this form of cancer rarely shows signs or symptoms until the later stages of the disease.
It commonly presents itself in Stages III or IV, characterized by a tumor that grows at a relatively lengthy rate. Stage III is also referred to as regional prostate cancer given that the tumor has expanded outside of the prostate into nearby muscles, organs or glands. This stage is different than Stage IV or metastatic prostate cancer where the disease has spread to further regions of the body, like the bones lymph nodes.
Symptoms
The most common and prevalent symptom of prostate cancer would involve urination. Often times, it will feel as if you are suffering from a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection. The hallmarks of either infection would be an overall lack of urine or a burning sensation while urinating. A number of men will also suffer from an almost isolated pain. Usually, this pain is unique to the pelvis or lower back as well as the thighs or ribs that persist over an extended period of time, usually for a few days to over a week. These are the areas closest to the prostate and can find the cancer metastasizing to these regions. Many times this pain will be accompanied by a loss of weight that is unexplained. Some men will also experience an overwhelming sense of fatigue or nausea.
Causes
For the most part, doctors are still unsure of the actual cause of prostate cancer. Yet, many experts have attested that both diet and heredity play a role in a person's risk for developing this disease. One of the predominant eating habits that increase the potential for prostate cancer is a high fat diet that is made up of "red meat and other animal fats," according to the National Cancer Institute. However, this does not mean that every male whose diet reflects this will develop prostate cancer; it also has a lot to do with genetics. As indicated by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a family history of prostate cancer places an added risk to many men.
Diagnosis
Besides diet and heredity, one of the chief factors that increase a man's risk of developing prostate cancer is age. According to the Cleveland Clinic Urological Institute, a man's risk of diagnosis will increase after the age of 40 in black men and age 50 in white men. Additionally, of all cases diagnosed, over 65 percent will be in men of ages 65 and older. This doesn't mean that someone under these ages will not develop prostate cancer, as it is still a risk for all men.
Treatment & Prognosis
When caught early, prostate cancer is actually a curable disease, typically by means of surgery or radiation therapy. However, once it metastasizes, meaning it is no longer contained to the prostate, the prognosis is quite different. While metastatic prostate cancer can be managed for a number of years, it is still considered fatal. If you were to experience any of the signs or symptoms, have a family history and/or are of a higher risk age for development, you should contact your doctor for a screening. The best defense against any form of cancer is early detection, so make sure you're safe.
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