Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that every man needs to be informed about. More than 191,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year. And more than 33,000 men die from this type of cancer annually. You can learn more about the risks of prostate cancer by searching online.
However, prostate cancer isn’t obvious when it begins to grow – it’s subtle and quiet, and it can go unnoticed for years. And letting this cancer continue to grow unchecked can be very dangerous. If you’re worried about your risk for prostate cancer, search online to learn about its risk factors and symptoms.
To be informed, you need to know the facts about prostate cancer. And you can benefit from learning the following critical facts.
No One Knows What Causes Prostate Cancer
One important fact that few people realize about prostate cancer is how little doctors and medical professionals understand about its origins. No one knows the exact cause of prostate cancer. It’s unclear why it begins or what causes it to form.
However, the medical field does know that this type of cancer is very prevalent. A surprising one in three men over the age of 50 have some cancer cells in their prostates. So, while there’s still much that’s unknown about prostate cancer, it’s important to be as informed as possible.
Doctors do know that some factors can increase your individual risk for prostate cancer. These risk factors include:
- Age – Prostate cancer is rarely found in men under age 40.
- Ethnicity – African American men have the highest number of prostate cancer cases.
- Family history – Men with a family history of prostate cancer have a risk that’s two to three times higher than the average person.
- Smoking – Prostate cancer risk doubles for smokers.
- Diet – Diet and lifestyle can potentially increase risk.
If you have any of these risk factors in your medical background, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your doctor.
You Can Take Steps That May Reduce Your Risk
Although certain factors might put you at a higher risk for prostate cancer, it may be possible to reduce that risk. You just need to discuss your health with your doctor and take steps to live a healthy life.
For example, keeping your heart healthy or following a “heart healthy” lifestyle can help you keep your prostate healthy as well. Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and watching your weight can help you potentially avoid prostate cancer.
Additionally, research is still developing, but certain medications may help prevent prostate cancer. Some medications may be able to prevent or slow the develop of this cancer, but it’s not clear yet just how effective they are.
Prostate Cancer Often Shows No Symptoms
One of the most concerning features of prostate cancer is its subtlety. This cancer doesn’t arrive with visible, obvious symptoms. When it begins inside the body, most men have absolutely no idea.
That’s because prostate cancer can cause no symptoms in its early stages. There are no early signs or symptoms of prostate cancer. Symptoms will only start to occur when the cancer progresses.
Once prostate cancer begins to show symptoms, they can be confusing. Many prostate cancer symptoms can also be signs of an enlarged prostate or urinary issues. You’ll want to keep an eye out for symptoms like:
- Trouble urinating.
- Frequent urination.
- A decrease in the force of urination.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Painful ejaculation.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Discomfort or dull pain in the pelvic area.
- Bone pain.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Blood in urine or semen.
If you’re worried about changes in your health, make sure to talk with your doctor. The only way to know for sure if you’re experiencing symptoms of prostate cancer is to undergo diagnostic testing.
Prostate Cancer is Treated Differently at Different Stages
If your doctor does diagnose you with prostate cancer, you’ll be ready to take the next step: treatment. Prostate cancer, like many other types of cancer, is treated in different ways depending on its unique presence within the body.
Your doctor will have you go through thorough testing to assess both the size of your prostate cancer, its spread, and where it’s located. This will help your doctor assign your cancer to a specific stage. From there, your doctor will develop a treatment plan that can tackle your cancer in the best ways possible.
Treatment for prostate cancer varies. You may undergo one type of treatment alone, or you may undergo a combination of different treatment methods. It all depends on your cancer stage.
Typical treatments by stage are:
- Stage I – Radiation therapy, surgical prostate removal, and hormone therapy may be used individually or in combination.
- Stage II – Radiation therapy and hormone therapy are commonly used, along with surveillance to watch the cancer’s growth carefully. If the cancer spreads to your lymph nodes, surgery may also be considered
- Stage III – Radiation therapy and hormone therapy are typically used individually or together. Because cancer has often spread beyond the prostate, surgical options may be limited.
- Stage IV – At this stage, cancer is treatable but typically not curable. Treatments like hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials can be used to improve quality of life.
Of course, treatment can differ for every man who’s diagnosed with prostate cancer. You and your doctor will discuss what’s best for your unique, individual needs and health should you develop this type of cancer.
The best way to combat prostate cancer is to stay informed. You should stay on top of your health and keep an eye out for any changes. You should notify your doctor if you think you’re experiencing anything that might be a sign or symptom of prostate cancer.