Prostate Cancer FAQ

At one point or another of their life, an estimated 17 percent of all males in the world will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. So, it is very important that men be conscious of the disease and its effects. Given below is the basic information about prostate cancer.

1. What is the prostate?

Found only in men, the prostate is a male gland. It is located beneath the bladder. It is wrapped around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. The prostate is the gland that produces the fluid that mixes with sperm at time of ejaculation.

2. What is prostate cancer? 

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate. It is generally found among men over 60. According to statistics, 1 in 7 men over this age will likely be diagnosed with the disease. While painful, most prostate cancers do not kill. Most patients will die before the prostate cancer symptoms fully develop, due to other causes.

3. What are the prostate cancer symptoms?

A variety of symptoms go with prostate cancer, such as urinary incontinence, excessive urine passage, weak or interrupted urine flow, blood in the urine, and even unrelenting pain in the hips, the upper thighs, and the lower back. Note that these symptoms may also indicate other illnesses of the reproductive system. Professional advice must be taken, whenever possible. 

4. What are the causes of prostate cancer?

In relation to the direct causes of prostate cancer, the medical establishment is still not sure. There are several possible culprits, such as excessive contact to high levels of radiation. Genetics plays a vital role. Up to 10 percent of cases run in families. If you have a close male relative with prostate cancer, you are up to four times likelier to be diagnosed with the disease yourself.

6. Who are at Risk?

Among men above a certain age, prostate cancer is very common. The older you are, the greater the risk of being diagnosed with the disease. Around 95% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed from ages 45 to 80. Among men, it is the second most common cancer, next only to lung cancer. Among men whose relatives have the disease, prostate cancer is also very common. 

7.How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

In order to diagnose prostate cancer, several tests are used. These methods include the PSA blood test, digital rectal examinations, biopsies, and x-rays. Among these, the PSA is the most commonly used. None of these tests is considered foolproof; several tests often have to be performed to prove that a patient has the illness.

8. How is prostate cancer treated?

Since, most cases of prostate cancer grow so slowly, treatment is rarely needed. Because the disease commonly occurs among older men, many patients die even before the cancer develops enough to have a material effect on their lives. Most cases are subjected to “watchful waiting”, which simply means that the patient is placed under observation and routine testing. Other treatment methods will come into play, if the cancer reaches a point wherein it becomes a threat to the patient. These methods include radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery.

9. What is the role of diet in prostate cancer?

Some studies show that a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet may help contribute to prostate cancer. On the other hand, diets that are low in fat may help minimize the risk. Research has shown that diets wherein tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables are consumed regularly show lower risk rates. (Cruciferous vegetables comprise cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts.) Isoflavones found in soy and polyphenols found in green tea and read wine are in general considered beneficial, as are Vitamin E and selenium.

11. How will the treatments affect my sex life?

Many treatments for prostate cancer cause erectile dysfunction or impotence. Other side effects may include

1. Reduced ejaculation
2. Lowered Sex Drive
3. Urinary Incontinence
4. Bowel Problems and
5. Excessive Fatigue

All the treatments have different side effects; therefore each patient should thoroughly consider the risks that come with each one before deciding on a particular method. 

12. How can prostate cancer be prevented?

Preventing the disease is a tricky proposition, since the direct cause of prostate cancer is not known. However, consuming foods mentioned in the preceding paragraph may be helpful. According to studies, the following consumption minimums may help prevent the development and progress of prostate cancer:

1. Two servings of tomato-based products a week
2. Five servings of cruciferous vegetables a week
3. Ten cups of green tea a day
4. A cup of red wine a day and
5. 200 micrograms of selenium a day. 
6. In radiotherapy, also known as prostate cancer radiation treatment, to kill the prostate cancer cells, high energy rays are used. This works to destroy the tumors and helps reduce the pain caused when the tumor affects the bones. 
7. In Prostate Cancer Brachytherapy, within the tumor itself, small radioactive pellets are placed, slowly killing it from within. Over the years, Brachytherapy has shown mixed results, but when compared to other treatments, it has also caused fewer side effects.
8. In Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy, the androgens produced by the body are inhibited. Prostate cancer cells grow by feeding on androgens – once the androgens are inhibited, the cells have a much harder time multiplying. The result is a stop in the growth of the tumor. After a period of time, however, prostate cancer tumors can restart growth even without the androgens, in which case other alternatives methods of treatment must be considered.
9. The surgical methods include many different variations of prostatectomy, which involves removing the prostate gland. Some variations are:
   
   • Transurethral resection of the prostate . By means of a long, thin device that is inserted through the urethra, the surgeon removes a portion of the prostate. In order to relieve a blockage of urine, this treatment is also used.
   • Radical perineal prostatectomy . In order to remove the entire prostate along with any lymph nodes that are in the vicinity, the surgeon makes a long cut in the abdomen.
   • Pelvic lymphadenectomy . In the pelvis, the surgeon takes out the lymph nodes in and checks them for cancerous growth.