Prostate Cancer Prevention

Prostate cancer is one of the most common male diseases in North America and the world at large. It can spread to the nether regions of the body, such as the pelvis and lower back. Prostate cancer normally develops in men over the age of sixty, progressing slower than most other cancers, such as lung cancer. The prostate makes up part of the male reproductive system. It is an organ that wraps around the urethra, emitting fluids to neutralize the acidity of the vaginal canal during intercourse, keeping the sperm from dying off during sex. Early signs and side effects of prostate cancer can include erectile dysfunction and abdominal discomfort. Tumors are obvious signs of prostate cancer. Early treatment can reduce or eliminate the cancer.

A system used by medical professionals to determine the state of the tumor's progress is called the Gleason Score. A ranking of two to four is low grade cancer, five to seven is medium grade cancer, and eight to ten is high grade cancer. Most prostate cancers fall into the medium range. If other treatments, such as hormone therapy, prove to be ineffective, some or all of the prostate can be removed through a procedure called radical prostatecomy, allowing doctors to remove the prostate gland by entering the body from behind the pubic bone. Enlargement of the prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a cause for early concern, providing opportunities for doctors and patients to seek immediate treatment to prevent the onset of prostate cancer.

Early signs for a patient to watch out for include blood in the urine or semen, slow urine flow, dripping after urinating, inability to pass all the urine, and similar conditions. Early testing can include a digital rectal exam, urinalysis tests, hormonal readings, checking for a hernia or other sources of discomfort in the lower abdomen, and other tests which can be fulfilled at a urology lab. Certain environmental conditions can increase the risk of contracting prostate cancer, including industrial environments like tire factories and farming areas, exposure to agent orange, exposure to cadmium, and exposure to some elements found in paint.

African-American men are more predisposed to developing prostate cancer later in life, as are men with a hereditary disposition to the illness. Diets which are high in fat, as well as prolonged excessive drinking, can increase the chances of or quicken the onset of prostate cancer. Early prevention includes a proper diet of grains and vegetables, minimal intake of red meat and other fatty foods, a carefully balanced exercise plan developed in conjunction with a doctor, limiting consumption of alcohol, and regular checkups with a doctor.

Prostate cancer is the number two killer of men in the United States, second only to lung cancer. Most men who die of the disease die by the age of 75. There is some disparity between the number of men who contract this form of cancer and the number of men who die from it. Some reasons for this include the slow rate of progression of the disease, as well as treatments which have been proven effective at removing the cancer.