Subscribe Feed (RSS)Free Yourself From Worry - Get Checked For Prostate Cancer Now
January 5th, 2009 by admin | Filed under Uncategorized.About 80 percent of men who reach the age of 80 have prostate cancer. About one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, but only one man in 34 will die of the disease. Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over 75 years old.
It’s estimated that approximately 234,460 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and approximately 27,350 will die of the disease. Detected in its early stages, prostate cancer can be effectively treated and cured. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man’s reproductive system; it wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are bone pain or tenderness, and abdominal pain. Some men will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. There may be other symptoms not mentioned here.
Blood in the urine or semen and frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs are often symptoms of cancer. Other symptoms might include unintentional weight loss and lethargy. Weak or interrupted flow of urine and painful or burning urination can be symptoms to watch out for.
When a digital rectal exam is performed it often reveals an enlarged prostate with a hard, irregular surface. A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor.
CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has spread. Another test usually used when prostate cancer symptoms are present is the digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the doctor. A chest x-ray may be done to see if there’s a spread of cancer.
Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread. Thoroughly discuss your treatment options and concerns with your doctor and other health professionals; it never hurts to get a second or even third opinion or more if necessary. What you can do now is begin to understand what exactly your treatment options are and where you’re going to begin.
In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Chemotherapy medications are often used to treat prostate cancers that are resistant to hormonal treatments. Besides hormonal drugs, hormone manipulation may also be done by surgically removing the testes.
Medicines can be used to adjust the levels of testosterone; called hormonal manipulation. Anyone considering surgery should be aware of the benefits, risks and the extent of the procedure. An oncology specialist will usually recommend treating with a single drug or a combination of drugs.
Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Recent improvements in surgical procedures have made complications occur less often. Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C.
Many men simply want the best treatment they can get but what’s important is picking the best treatment for you. Whether radiation therapy is as good as prostate removal is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult.
If you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, pick the option that’s best suited to you and your continuing good health. Evidence indicates that many patients detect their prostate cancer at an earlier stage because of annual screening, so make sure to get an exam.
If you haven’t been diagnosed but are concerned about symptoms you should call for an appointment to see your doctor; and if you’re a man older than 50 who has never been screened for prostate cancer (by rectal exam and/or PSA level determination) or not had a regular annual exam, or have had a family history of prostate cancer, make an appointment soon.
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Tags: chemotherapy, prostate cancerRelated posts
Tags: chemotherapy, prostate cancer
