Prostate Cancer - What is your Risk?
INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is cancer of the small gland in men that creates the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is also the 2nd most common type of cancer among men in the US and is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages.
Prostate cancer occurs more often in older males and is rarely found in men younger than 40. It occurs in 1 out of every 6 men and when confined to the gland is often treated successfully.
RISK: Any man is at risk for developing prostate cancer. Besides being male, there are a number of other factors, such as age, race, and family history that may add to your risk. Those at higher risk include African-American males past 60,farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men exposed to cadmium. The risk for developing it rises with age, and 60% of newly found cases occur in men past the age of 70.
The greatest risk factor is age. This risk increases significantly after the age of 50 in white men who have no family history of the disease and after the age of 40 in black men and men who have a close relative with the disease. Having a brother with prostate cancer appears to increase your risk more than having an affected father does. That risk is even higher when there are multiple family members affected.
SYMPTOMS: May include Painful urinatian, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling, Low back pain, Pain while ejaculating. A large number of men experience no symptoms; the first indicator that they may have prostate cancer is often an abnormal finding on a routine screening exam. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the cancer grows.
TREATMENT: May include surgery, radiation therapy, drugs or control of hormones that affect the cancer. It often depends on the stage of the cancer and appropriate treatment is often very controversial.
Surgery is usually only recommended after thorough evaluation and discussion of all treatment options. Chemotherapy is often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Gland Removal (radical prostatectomy) is often recommended for treatment of stages A and B.
CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer is the 3rd most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men past 75 years of age. Frequently there are no symptoms in its early stages. If it has spread, it may be treated with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the gland, or chemotherapy.
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