Serene City Hospital Center

Prostate Cancer: Protect Yourself with the Facts

IN CANCER

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If you're like many American men, you rarely give a second thought to your prostate. But it may be time to think again. Prostate cancer is the third-leading cause of death from cancer for men. In fact, one man in every six will be diagnosed with the disease in his lifetime. One man in every 34 will die of the disease. Is there any good news? Yes. When caught early, prostate cancer can be overcome. Here's very basic information as reported by the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) to help you understand the condition, its risks and symptoms, and what to do should you ever be diagnosed with it. Risk Factors
Because prostate cancer has such a high incidence among Americans, all men are at risk for the condition. Though scientists have been unable to identify the specific causes of prostate cancer, certain characteristics seem to increase your chances of developing the disease. Be aware of your risk factors. They may include any of the following:
  • Age. Approximately two out of every three prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65.
  • Race. Prostate cancer is more prevalent among African-American men than Caucasian men. It occurs less often in Asian men.
  • Heredity. Your risk of prostate cancer increases based on the number of close family members who've been diagnosed with the disease, particularly if the relatives were young when they developed the disease.
Symptoms
Though prostate cancer often develops with no symptoms until later stages, it may be characterized by the following. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
  • pain or problems with urination
  • blood in the urine or semen
  • painful ejaculation
  • frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Treatment Options
Men who are diagnosed have several options for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. These include radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and surveillance. Talk to your physician today to learn more about how you can overcome prostate cancer.
Screenings Detect Prostate Cancer Early

To catch prostate cancer in the earliest stages, it's important to be screened regularly. The following tests allow your physician to catch prostate cancer in its earliest stages before it has spread to surrounding tissues and organs.

  • DRE. In the digital rectal exam (DRE), a physician feels the prostate through the rectum to locate any hard or lumpy areas. This test should be performed annually after the age of 45 or 50, depending on your risk factors as determined by your doctor.
  • PSA. This blood test is used to determine the presence of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the bloodstream. If you are a man over 50, your doctor may offer a PSA screening annually.
If your doctor suspects that you have prostate cancer based on the results of either of these tests, he or she will perform a biopsy to examine the potentially cancerous tissue for a more certain diagnosis.

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