Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is only found in males. The prostate gland contains cells that make some of the seminal fluid that protects and nourishes sperm. The prostate continues to grow with age, and in older men it can sometimes lead to prostate cancer. (ACS 2006) Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men besides skin cancer. The American Cancer society has predicted that there will be 234, 460 new cases of prostate cancer in 2006 and of those diagnosed 27,350 will die as a direct result. (ACS 2006)

As males get older, their chance for getting prostate cancer becomes higher. Eighty-percent of all prostate cancer cases are found in men sixty-five years and older. There is also a higher incidence rate of prostate cancer in African-American males; they also have double the mortality rate of any other ethnic group. Asians and American Indians have the lowest incidence and mortality rate of any group. Incidence rates rose rapidly in the 1980s due to new diagnostic techniques and new technologies and began to fall in the 1990s due to new treatments and earlier detection. (National Cancer Institute 2006) Geographically, prostate cancer is most common in North America and northwestern Europe. It is less common in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. (ACS 2006)

Though there is no definitive scientific reason why prostate cancer develops, a few things have been narrowed down to potentially giving a higher risk of developing the cancer. Perhaps the most prominent is one's family history. Men with close family members such as a father or brother who have had prostate cancer are most likely to get it themselves, especially if those relatives developed it at an early age. Another potential risk factor, though not proven, is a diet that includes a lot of red meat and dairy products. Men who have this diet tend to develop prostate cancer, and also tend to eat less fruits. Changes in DNA and hormone levels could also play a part in the development of prostate cancer, but more research is need in this area to give a definitive answer. (ACS 2006)

Some common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include: blood in the urine, the need to urinate frequently, weak or interrupted urine flow, pain or burning while urinating, inability to urinate, and constant pain in the lower back, pelvis, or upper thighs. (Prostate Cancer, CDC 2006) If anyone experiences theses symptoms it is recommended that they seek a doctor immediately. There are a few procedures that men can get to test for signs of prostate cancer. One test is a PSA test, which stands for prostate specific antigen. PSA is a substance produced by cells in the prostate and then released in the blood; the PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. Usually, the higher the PSA level in the blood the higher the risk for prostate cancer. (Prostate Cancer, CDC 2006) Another common test is the Digital Rectal Rectal Examination (DRE). In this test, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the back of the prostate to check for size and any abnormalities in shape or feel such as hard areas.

If prostate is found using one of the diagnostic techniques, there are several treatment options. One is called Watchful Waiting, which carefully monitors PSA levels in blood and frequent DRE to monitor growth and progression. Treatment