Prostate cancer symptoms may not be detected before prostate cancer is revealed from a routine PSA blood test, which is a test done to screen males for this form of cancer. But , some men will note changes in urination or the onset of pain , which could indicate cancer. This write-up will share how to identify symptoms that need a doctor’s attention and help you form an online symptom diagnosis.
The prostate gland is part of a man’s reproductive system. It is a small structure about the size and shape of a walnut that wraps around the urethra, which is the tube that transports urine out of the body.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms And Causes
Prostate cancer might not be seen in its beginning stages. In far more advanced conditions, the following signs or symptoms may be seen:
- Difficult urination in which the urinary stream is slow or delayed
- Reduced pressure in the urine stream
- Dribbling once urination finishes
- Leakage of urine
- Straining urination with a feeling that the bladder was not able to emptytotally
- Blood noticed in the urine or semen
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Bone pain
Many of these signs or symptoms mimic a more common issue in most men as they age, that is an enlarged prostate gland. This ailment is termed Prostate Hypertrophy or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and is normally a benign condition.
The cause of prostate cancer is not absolutely realized but risk factors have been discovered . Men who are at higher risk are:
- African-American men
- All men over the age of 60
- Men with a family history of cancer of the prostate
Various other risk factors may include:
- Weight problems or obesity
- Men who eat an elevated fat diet, especially animal fat
- Exposure to agent orange or cadmium
- Farming
- Tire Plant workers
- Painters
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment
In some situations, the earlier mentioned signs and symptoms will be observe but many instances of prostate cancer are detected from a regular screening examination. These checks may incorporate a Digital Rectal Exam or a blood test called a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. If abnormalities are discovered with the screening assessments, your medical professional may advocate further checks to verify the diagnosis such as an Ultrasound or a biopsy of the prostate.
A biopsy is the only test which can positively verify the presence of cancer cells and if cancer cells are present your results can be described using a thing called a Gleason score. The Gleason score is a way of evaluating how aggressive your cancer is with 2 meaning nonaggressive cancer and 10 being really aggressive cancer.
Your medical professional may order added checks to ascertain if the cancer has spread such as a CT Scan, Bone Scan or MRI.
Treatment of prostate cancer can vary from person to person and should be determined based on a number of elements such as how fast your cancer is progressing, if it has spread, your age, your complete level of wellness and possible side effects of the treatment options.
A number of men may not need instant treatment particularly if they are diagnosed really early or if the man is of an older age. In these cases the medical professional may take a “watchful waiting” approach in which regular follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and perhaps other exams (i.e. biopsies) are carried out to keep track of the development of the cancer.
In other situations in which the cancer is detected in an early stage, your medical professional may consider a surgical procedure and radiation therapy. Various other types of therapy may be considered particularly if the cancer has spread. These other treatments may include hormone therapy, cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment and chemotherapy.