Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer among men in the United States. The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with the disease is 17.6% for Caucasians and 20.6% for African Americans. As you can see the incidence is rather high, and many experts in the field strongly recommend that every man approaching 40 should undergo a prostate cancer screening. Another interesting fact that may calm you down is that the risk of death however is lower compared to other forms of cancer. This is due to the slow progression of the disease, and if caught early chances of sending it into remission are rather high.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Usually the growth (tumor) is located in the prostate gland, so majority of the symptoms are urination related as a result. This is due to the fact that as the prostate gland grows it begins pressing against the urethra and or bladder, which causes issues such as frequent urination, due to the bladder’s urine capacity being limited. You may also lose total control of the bladder, which could lead to not only frequent but also uncontrollable urges to urinate. Painful urination, difficulty starting and stopping the flow of urine, blood in the urine and semen – all these urination related symptoms are usually red flags. However since the symptoms are almost identical to those experienced in BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or Enlarged Prostate cases. This is why it is crucially important to be seen by a professional and receive a proper diagnosis as early as possible. The testing for prostate cancer is usually a simple blood test which can differentiate between BPH and prostate cancer to a high degree. A further strategy can be worked out with your doctor after this initial testing, and depending on the severity of your symptoms

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a cancerous tumor that develops in the prostate gland. Usually, the tumor grows relatively slowly and remains in the prostate gland without spreading elsewhere for a long time. At this stage, the tumor can be tricky to detect as it produces little or no symptoms or abnormalities. Nevertheless, all prostate cancers differ in their course of action. Some are more aggressive then others and can spread rapidly shortening the lifespan of the affected individual. Others may take years to develop and cause very little to no inconvenience. A trained pathologist can usually measure the aggressiveness of the cancer and help you ease your mind or push you towards immediate action.

As the cancer progresses, it can spread beyond the prostate into the surrounding areas such as the bones, lungs, and liver. The best thing you can do to avoid this is educate yourself on this subject and take the word prevention seriously.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Often prostate cancer is associated with some risk factors such as genetics and race. Sometimes the genetic mutation is inherited in other times it develops after birth. Although some risk factors are not avoidable, there are certainly those that can be modified.

The following factors are believed to increase the risk of prostate cancer:

  Age:  The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as a man gets older, especially over 65

  Genetics: having a father or brother with prostate cancer doubles your risk. Some studies have also shown that having a family history of ovarian cancer in women can increase your chances.   Race: The risk of prostate cancer is dramatically higher among African-America race, and lowest among East Asian. Some studies have shown a link between levels of testosterone and prostate cancer risk, with black men having the highest levels.

  Geography: prostate cancer prevalence is less in Asia and South America.

  Weight issues: overweight and inactive men have higher rates of prostate cancer.

What you can do to prevent Prostate Cancer

Chemoprevention: Use of specific natural or man-made drugs and vitamins to reverse, suppress, or prevent cancer growth. Some studies show that things such as difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), isoflavonoids, selenium, vitamins D and E, and lycopene have shown to improve your chances of avoiding prostate cancer, however more studies are needed to confirm this.

Lifestyle and diet: A diet high in fat and red meat may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Some studies also suggest that calcium may increase your chances also. Diet that is filled with veggies and fruits is recommended. Exercising is a necessary practice as well to avoid weight gain.

Prostate Massage: Prostate massage dramatically increases the flow of blood into the prostate gland as well as helps to reduce growth of prostate gland. This is especially helpful for men as they approach 40, since the muscle loses elasticity after a certain age, and this doesn’t exclude prostate, and need artificial help to keep it the entire area lively and healthy. Note that this is a preventative measure and not in any way a treatment for cancer. Read more about prostate massage here.