prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK.
In this article:
What is prostate cancer?
Causes
Treatments
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Advice & Support
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer usually develops in older men.
The prostate gland (which only men have) lies just beneath the bladder. It is approximately the size of a chestnut and its primary function is to produce fluid which enriches and protects sperm, and also helps with the carriage of sperm out of the penis during ejaculation.
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells in the body begin to grow, divide and reproduce in an uncontrollable way. These abnormal cells then invade and destroy healthy tissue, including organs and glands. Prostate cancer develops when some of the cells in your prostate gland start to grow out of control in this way, invading and destroying healthy cells.
Symptoms
Symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Occasionally passing of blood when urinating
Painful and problematic urinating
Pain and stiffness in your lower back, thigh bones and hips
Pain at the base of the penis
Painful orgasms
Tiredness and loss of appetite
The Essay on Whats The Difference Between A Cancer Cell And A Normal Cell
Cancer cells are abnormal cells and they have characteristics that can be associated with their ability to grow uncontrollably. Cancer cells are non-specialized, and divide uncontrollably. Cancer in situ is a tumor located in its place of origin. Malignant tumors establish new tumor distant from the primary tumors. Cancer cells characteristics distinguish them from normal cells. They have abnormal ...
Most, if not all, of these symptoms are common among older men. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, please arrange an appointment with your GP.
Causes
As with other cancers, the exact reason as to why prostate cancer develops is unknown. However, risk factors may include things like: a poor diet (that is high in fat and low in fruit and vegetables), ageing, genetics, and also your ethnic group (prostate cancer is most common in African-Caribbean men).
Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, then it is important to arrange an appointment with your GP as soon as possible. He or she will carry out two simple tests that can help diagnose prostate cancer:
A PSA test – a blood test to measure levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood
A Digital Rectal Examination to check your prostate’s size and shape and whether any lumps can be detected
Note: PSA is a protein produced exclusively by your prostate gland. If your PSA level rises, this may be an indication of prostate cancer, and your GP may wish to refer you to an urologist for further tests.
Treatments
Treatment options for prostate cancer include:
Hormone therapy – where the prostate is ‘starved’ of testosterone in order to try to slow down the spread of cancerous cells from your prostate
Surgery – where the prostate is removed
Brachytherapy – where radioactive seeds are implanted in the prostate
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Advice & Support
The Prostate Cancer Charity
Confidential Helpline: 0800 074 8383
Website: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk , e-mail here
Provides support and information for patients and their families
Prostate UK
Tel. 020 8788 7720
Website: www.prostateuk.org , e-mail here
A national charity dealing with all prostate diseases, including prostate cancer
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The Essay on Prostate Cancer 4
Cancer of the prostate is defined as a malignant tumor growth within the prostate gland. The purpose of the prostate gland is to surround the urethra, which is the tube within you urinary system that carries the urine from the bladder to the penis, the male sex organ. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 180, 000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States. The ...
