Introduction

Prostate cancer is an abnormal uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland tissues leading to formation of malignant (harmful) tumor.

The prostate gland is an essential part of the male reproductive system. The size and shape of your prostate resembles a walnut. Its location lies between your bladder and the base of your penile organ.

It is very rare for any prostate cancer symptom to appear in the early stages.

It usually affects men with age fifty and above and is often called a disease of elderly men.

Often, this cancer grows gradually and is limited in size and risk to the patient. It can however, spread with speed and cause great risk to your health.

Treatments of prostate cancer can be effective if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

Prostate Cancer Cause

Hormones, environment, genes, diet and age are possible factors involved in causing prostate cancer.

A specific prostate cancer cause still evades science.

Age:

Statistics related to prostate cancer reveal that men over the fifty age mark are at risk and this risk keeps on increasing with age.

Hormone:

High levels of male hormone testosterone speeds up prostate cancer growth. However, there is no proof of testosterone to be a prostate cancer cause.

Genetics:

Cancer starts when multiple cells in your genes are mutated (altered). Researchers have found that flaws or defects in your genes can cause prostate cancer.

Diet:

A diet high in animal fat can expose you to a greater risk of developing prostate cancer. Taking a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can decrease the risk.

Heredity:

If your father or other immediate relatives (males) have had prostate cancer, you are at an increased risk. Scientists are yet to know whether acquired prostate cancer evolves in the same way as cancer from other factors.

Prostate Cancer Symptom

In the early stages, there are often no identifiable prostate cancer symptoms.

With progression in the prostate cancer stages, the tumor in your prostate continues to grow and at one stage completely blocks the flow of your urine.

This leads to an enlarged urinary bladder with cancer growth obstruction.

Similar symptoms can be found in men with non-cancerous enlarged prostates too.

However, these symptoms should be evaluated by your doctor to rule out any cancerous formations in your prostate.

Nonetheless, prostate cancer symptom accompany individually or through multiple unique instances:

• Painful burning urination
• Pain at the time of ejaculation
• An urge to urinate frequently, particularly at night
• Inability to urinate or difficult urination
• Difficulty in obtaining an erection
• Blood appears in urine or semen
• Lower back pain and/or stiffness

Treatments of Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormone therapy, prostate removal and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are the options available for treatments of prostate cancer.

Radiation Therapy: Beams focus on the tumor from outside your body, aimed to kill cancer cells. This therapy can usually last for a month. Side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and hair loss.

Chemotherapy: does not require a hospital stay. Chemicals are used to kill your cancer cells. This therapy is used only in advanced prostate cancer stages.

Cryosurgery: Uses liquid nitrogen administered through probes inserted into your rectum to freeze and destroy the cancer cells.

Hormone Therapy: Is aimed at reducing testosterone levels in your body to slow down the growth of your prostate cancer.

Prostate Removal: When cancer is limited to your prostate removing it offers good chance for a complete cure. Your prostate is completely removed through surgical procedure.

TURP: Involves removing the cancerous portion of your prostate. In this procedure, electricity is passed through a special instrument to remove the affected portion. Post surgery, the prostate is monitored periodically to detect recurring signs of the cancerous cells.

Moreover, the various prostate cancer stages are taken into account before start of any specific treatments.

Hence, an active lifestyle accompanied by a healthy diet can more effectively withstand the treatments involved in fighting cancer of the prostate.