As a male, or even out of concern for the men in your life, you should know the symptoms of prostate cancer. With reports of 1 out of 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime in the United States (US), learning how this cancer can affect you and your loved ones is important.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer for men in the US.
It begins in the gland cells of the prostate in men, which is walnut-shaped and sized, located between the bladder and the penis. The function of the prostate is to make the liquid in semen – seminal fluid – that helps transport sperm.
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When compared with other cancers, prostate cancer is different and can take longer to detect, because prostate tumors do not spread to other parts of the body as quickly. Therefore, symptoms may not be revealed for years.
Prostate cancer, at the most basic level, can be caused by changes in the DNA of a normal prostate cell because the DNA functions as the instructions that tell a cell what to do.
Day 1: Just Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer
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Prostate cancer stages
There are four stages of prostate cancer – five if you begin with stage 0 (zero). Using roman numerals, “I” is least advanced, while “IV” is the furthest advanced.
For instance, in Stage I cancer, the cancer is growing in the prostate but hasn’t spread beyond it. This may even be the case at Stage II but abnormalities may be more detectable.
At Stage IV, the cancer may have spread to more distant areas in the body, including other organs and the bones.
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5 Warning signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
Five symptoms of prostate cancer include the following:
- Urinary issues – an urgency to urinate, particularly at night, or a weak, interrupted stream of urine
- Erectile dysfunction – an inability to get or maintain an erection regularly for sexual intercourse
- Groin or pelvic discomfort – if enlarged, the prostate can cause discomfort due to its location, particularly while sitting; improper functioning and swelling of the lymph nodes can also contribute to soreness
- Bowel changes – including constipation, flatulence, and watery bowel movements; bowel urgency also leads to fecal incontinence
- Weight loss – unexplained weight loss may be a result of less eating (due to mouth sores that men with prostate cancer tend to develop) or a side effect
Is prostate cancer curable?
Most prostate cancers, especially with early diagnosis, can be curable.
Metastatic prostate cancer, which is Stage 4 – having spread to other parts of the body, is not curable, but can be treated for a significant amount of time.
Prostate cancer treatment
Depending on the severity of the cancer, treatment options that doctors recommend may vary. Treatment options include:
- Radiation therapy (external or internal) – killing cancer with high-energy rays – similar to X-rays
- Surgery (prostatectomy) – the removal of the prostate
There are other options that are still being researched and investigated, including biological therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and high-intensity ultrasounds.
Alternative and complementary medicine are still being investigated and health practices that some consider. These include implementing herbs, meditation, supplements, vitamins, and yoga into your regular routine.
How to prevent prostate cancer
Unfortunately, there is not a guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, but there are ways to lower your chances and risks. Healthy lifestyle changes, which can help lower risks by 40%, include:
- Avoiding alcohol and tobacco
- Adding fruit and vegetables to your diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Staying active
- Wearing sunscreen
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It's also just as important to make sure you go to your regular checkups and preventive screenings, which are recommended for men between the ages of 55 and 69.
