Added: 01/26/2006 |
Prostate Cancer BasicsProstate cancer is the leading non-skin cancer in the United States. One out of every six American men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis at some point during their lifetime. The good news is that there are many effective treatments for the disease, but they work best on prostate cancer that is detected early. Knowing prostate cancer symtoms and causes, and being proactive about preventative screening are very important and could help save your life.
There is no one cause of prostate cancer. There are, however, several risk factors associated with its development. The most important factor in prostate cancer development is age. It is very rare for someone under age 40 to develop this disease. The risk of developing it increases starting at age 50, and over 80% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65. Men in their mid-seventies are 130 times more likely to develop cancer than men in their mid-to-late forties.
Another significant risk factor in the development of prostate cancer is race. African-American men are 65% more likely to develop prostate cancer than their Caucasian-American counterparts. Furthermore, African-American men tend to develop more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The lowest incidence is seen in Asian men. Yet another risk factor is family history. About 25% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a family relative diagnosed with the disease. The risk of prostate cancer doubles for men with a first-degree relative, increases five-fold with two close relatives, and is almost 100% with three close relatives.
While age, race and family history are risk factors that cannot be controlled, there are some risk factors that can be. Diet and weight have been shown to play at least a small role in the development of prostate cancer. The high intake of animal fats like those found in red meat, and polyunsaturated fats like those found in corn oil and margarine, have also been associated with higher rates of prostate cancer. Therefore, if you have additional risk factors, you should monitor your intake of such fats.
If you find yourself at risk based on any of the factors above, and all men will if they live past their mid-forties, then you should also acquaint yourself with prostate cancer symtoms and know when to see your doctor. While many early cases of prostate cancers produce no symptoms, some cases do experience frequent night urination, difficulty starting or holding urination, painful urination, erectile difficulty, painful ejaculation, bloody urine or semen, or frequent pain and/or stiffness in the lower back, hips and/or upper thighs. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your physician for further testing.
Even if you don't experience any of these symptoms, once you reach your mid-to-late forties, you should be prepared to undergo screening for prostate cancer. The two most popular screening methods are the PSA test and the digital rectal exam. A PSA test is a simple blood test to measure the amount of prostate specific antigen in the body. A high level of prostate specific antigen can indicate cancer. While it is not completely accurate, it can lead a doctor to pursue further testing to determine whether or not cancer is present. A digital rectal exam is when your physician inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel the prostate. Any enlargement or unusual growths are indication for further testing.
While many men find a yearly PSA test inconvenient and a yearly digital rectal exam less than pleasant, regular screening has been shown to help detect prostate cancers earlier. Many cancers that are caught early can be effectively treated and/or cured, making the minor inconvenience of preventative screening well worth while.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
