What is Prostate Cancer?
The Prostate Gland is a vital and essential organ required to sustain a healthy life. The prostate gland also manufactures the fluid that carries semen for male ejaculation. There are other prostate medical conditions that have an adverse affect on the urinary system but the difference is that prostate cancer can be fatal.
The Answer to ” what is prostate cancer? ”
Prostate cancer is a cancerous tumor that takes root within the prostate gland. It is the result of cells in the prostate mutating and multiplying causing cancerous cells to develop. The tumor grows and infects other parts of the body, in particular the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small glands within the body used to attract and carry a fluid known as ‘lymph’ through the bloodstream. ‘Lymph’ is part of our immune system and carries cells that assist the fight against infection and disease. Male sexual and physical functional development is generated by the male sex hormone, testosterone. Unfortunately, testosterone is also a stimulant to the growth of the prostate cancerous cells. The way in which the cancer infects other body organs through the bloodstream and the lymph system is called metastasis.
Just like high blood pressure you will not know that you have prostate cancer without a test or examination being carried out. In the case of prostate cancer the test is a prostate specific antigen blood test [PSA] and the examination, a digital rectal examination[DRE].
A Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] Blood Test
Cells within the prostate gland produce a substance known as Prostate Specific Antigen. The Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] Blood Test does as the name implies. It measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in the bloodstream. The results are shown as nanograms per milliliter, or ng/mL.
A Digital Rectal Examination [DRE]
Whilst this is a straightforward and simple medical examination many male patients may feel uncomfortable about it. Your doctor needs to feel the surface of the prostate and this is achieved by inserting a surgical gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum. By doing this the doctor can examine the surface of the prostate and identify if there is any enlargement of the prostate gland, lumps or unfamiliar texture.
What is Prostate Cancer? – recovery and survival
Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is invariably difficult but so important in terms of recovery. Recovery and survival statistics show there has been a significant improvement over the last 20 plus years in cases of early detection with rates rising to 90+ years.
What is Prostate Cancer? – risk factors
As yet there are no identifiable root causes of prostate cancer but it is widely believed that there are certain risk factors:
Family History – historical records show that family history is a significant factor in assessing whether or not you are at risk of developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is evidently more common among males whose close family members have developed the cancer. Males who have near relatives with the cancer are twice as likely to be diagnosed themselves. Near relatives include father, brother and son.
Age - statistics show that aging is a significant risk factor. Clearly prostate cancer is more prevalent in older males and the risks have been assessed as follows:
approximately 1 in every 10,000 males [.01%] below the age of 40 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
after ages 40 to 59, the risk is 1 in 39 males [2.6%]
from the age of 60 to age 79, it is 1 in 7 males [14.29%]
Ethnic Origins – the numbers of prostate cancer patients recorded in each country varies considerably however, the United States is at the top of the table. This may be partly due to two related factors. The detection of Prostate Cancer is less likely in under-developed countries and there is a higher risk of African and African-American males developing prostate cancer.
African and African-American males are about 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than Caucasians
There is a moderate risk for European males
East Asian and Southeast Asian males have the lowest rates worldwide
Obesity – records also show that there is a greater risk of death for obese males with prostate cancer
Diet – studies also show that men who eat higher amounts of natural fruits and vegetables appear to experience a lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who eat a diet rich in meat and animal fats.
