One of the most common types of cancer found in males is prostate cancer. However, if someone is in the early stages of cancer, it can be treated well, and the person can get better soon. This cancer begins in the prostate gland of the body and, if left alone, spreads to other parts of the body. It is not fully known to experts what the causes are, but the risk of developing this disease increases with the age of the person.
In this article, we will give you an idea of prostate cancer, and will also discuss its causes. Furthermore, you will also learn about the major symptoms of this disease and how to find them. Lastly, we will also discuss the major treatments for prostate cancer so that you are able to prevent it soon. Hence, to get fully informed on this disease read on through to the end of the article.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a gland present in males, which is responsible for the production of the fluid that helps in the nourishment of sperm and their transport. The type of cancer that happens in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. It is very common, and it grows slowly within the prostate gland in males and is mainly confined there. In most cases, this disease does not cause a lot of harm to the body.
However, in some cases, it has been found that the growth of this disease is slow, and in some cases, it requires minimal to no treatment. On the other hand, such cancer can also be aggressive and can spread cancer quickly. Nevertheless, the latter is very rare. The best chance of successful treatment of this disease is when the cancer formation is detected in its early stage.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a gland found only in males. It makes some of the fluid that is part of semen…The size of the prostate can change as a man ages. In younger men, it is about the size of a walnut, but it can be much larger in older men.”
Almost every case of prostate cancer develops from the gland cells, which are responsible for making the prostate fluid. This type of occurrence is known as adenocarcinoma.
What Causes Prostate Cancer?
Most researchers are unsure of the causes of this disease. It develops only when there are specific changes in the cells of the prostate gland. In some cases, prostate gland cells may appear abnormal. Doctors call these abnormal tendencies as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). During the initial stages of the development of cancer, the cells will not be prone to cancer. However, the high-grade cancerous cells are more likely to spread and grow, while there are low-grade cells whose growth is not a big matter of concern.
There are some risk factors associated with the development of this disease. Some of them include:
Age: The risk of such cancer develops after the age of 45 or 50. However, it can happen before that, but it is a rare occurrence.
Race/ Ethnicity: Depending on one’s ethnicity, they are prone to this disease.
Family history: Someone who has a close relative with the same disease, can have a higher chance of developing it.
Daily habits: Unhealthy eating habits and smoking can lead to cancer in the male body as well.
One of the major risk factors for this disease is hereditary cancerous symptoms. According to Cancer.net, “Hereditary prostate cancer, which is inheriting the risk from a relative, is rare and accounts for about 5% of all cases. Hereditary prostate cancer occurs when changes in genes, or mutations, are passed down within a family from 1 generation to the next. This is called a germline mutation.”
What Are The Signs Of Prostate Cancer?
During its early stages, prostate cancer generally shows no signs or symptoms until its late. However, the symptoms of this disease vary with respect to people, age, and the region they live in. Some of the prostrate cancer symptoms are included below:
- The person is having trouble urinating.
- The urine stream has a decreased force.
- Presence of blood in the urine.
- Frequent occurrence of pain in the bones.
- Loss of weight unnecessarily, without even trying.
- Improper functioning of erectile.
How To Prevent Prostate Cancer?
There is no particular treatment and prevention for prostate cancer. According to Cancer.net, “Different factors cause different types of cancer. Researchers continue to look into what factors cause prostate cancer, including ways to prevent it. Although there is no proven way to completely prevent prostate cancer, you may be able to lower your risk. Talk with your health care team for more information about your personal risk of cancer.”
However, the following are some of the treatments that doctors recommend to patients with this type of cancer:
1. Surgery: This is done when this disease is in its early stages.
2. Radiation Therapy: This is done to kill cancer cells to prevent them from developing.
3. Hormonal Treatment: Here, a medicine or a hormone is used to block the development of cancerous cells.
4. Chemotherapy: Here, doctors recommend certain drugs to stop the growth of the cells.
5. Targeted Therapy: Here, some drugs are used to target and attack cancer cells.
6. Immunotherapy: With the help of this therapy, doctors, with the help of certain substances, strengthen the immune system of the body, which, in turn, helps in defending the cancerous cells.
Summing Up
In this article, you learned about prostate cancer in general and got ensured that it can be treated well and also prevented if it is found at the early stages of its development. However, finding out the symptoms of this disease can be tough.
Even people with an advanced level of this disease show no symptoms in some cases. However, if you find a few symptoms of this cancer type, consult your doctor immediately, and try to treat and prevent it. Do you know about anyone who got treated for prostate cancer and got well? Share your story in the comments section below.
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