Prostrate cancer risks go up if you have a male family member such as a brother or father who may have been diagnosed early in age and the risks also increase as you get older in life. Watchful waiting is important at this step for you to do.
Besides watchful waiting is the diagnosing of prostrate cancer with testing like biopsy- five to twelve samples of tissue are taken from the prostrate, then they are moved to a laboratory for closer examination for any cells of cancer present. Examination digitally rectally- this is done with a finger being gloved and put into the passage in the rectal area, the physician then feels around for abnormalities, enlargements or irregularities in the prostrate area. Then there is the test PSA- the prostrate contains a protein which is called the prostrate specific antigen. Quantities in large amounts of PSA in the blood of the patient may be an indicator of prostrate cancer.
If cancer of the prostrate is detected and diagnosed many other tests may also be performed to determine whether the cancer has moved to other body areas. This is also where watchful waiting is particularly important.
Sometimes a surgery may be required called a radical prostratectomy; it involves the prostate’s removal and usually requires a stay in the hospital of six to twelve days. If removal is not an option, then surgery may be done for the blockages of the prostrate glands removal or repair to help get relief from urination. This kind of surgery is called a transurethral resection of the prostrate.
Watchful waiting is sometimes aided with therapy treatments with hormones. The cancer in the prostrate relies upon the hormones of testosterone to grow and feed. This therapy reduces the levels of testosterone and makes the tumor smaller by starving it. Hormones are given either through injections or by medication given orally. Many times the testicles may have to be surgically removed to gain this initial effect on the cancer.
Radiotherapy is another type of treatment for prostrate cancer it involves the use of X-rays that your physician directs toward cells of the cancer for destruction. Risks from this treatment include problems being caused with your bowel functions and impotence, but these only occur in a small percentage of men who have undergone this treatment.
Bachytherapy is an implant that is radioactive and inserted into the prostrate, which then targets cells of the cancer. Side effects from this treatment may be impotence, problems of the bowels and irritation or pain during urination which can lasts several weeks to months after treatment has occurred.
If you have any problems or have noticed changes in the prostrate after a period of watchful waiting is up, you should consult with either your regular physician, an urologist or nurse of continence or urology practice to determine whether further investigation is warranted.