Prostate Cancer Grows

By Author: jhon tony
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When the prostate gland has cells growing out of control the result is prostate cancer. There are few early symptoms other then men having discomfort and urinary symptoms.

Symptoms

Prostate cancer does not have any early warning signs. When a tumor forms it will cause the gland to swell or when the cancer has started spreading to other parts of the body then you could have some of these symptoms:

• Urinating become more frequent, more so throughout the night
• Hard to get urine going let along stopping it
• Urinary stream becomes weak or even interrupted
• Cannot stand and urinate
• Urine or semen have blood
• Ejaculation or urination becomes painful or there is a burning sensation

When there is a blockage in the prostate from cancer growing, an enlarged prostate that does not have cancer, or a urinary track infection the symptoms are:

• Pain in bones or stiffness could occur in lower back, pelvis area, upper thighs, or even ribs
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Weight or appetite loss
• Lower extremities become ...
... swollen
• Constipation is usually paired with lower limbs becoming weak or paralysis

Screening

When men reach 50 years old it is recommended they do a yearly examination that is digital rectal along with having the blood tested. If you are in what is considered the high risk group which would include a prostate cancer family history or of the African American ethnicity then screening should start at 40 years of age.

Diagnosing

If there are no symptoms then one of two tests will be ran and sometimes the doctor might to do both just to be sure. A digital rectal exam is where the doctor enters through the rectum and feels on the prostate for nodules. A blood test can be done for seeing if there is any prostate specific antigen being produced by the prostate. Neither test is perfect so there will be a biopsy done to confirm any results.

Treatments
If the prostate cancer is caught in the early stages it has higher odds of being curable. Early stages means the cancer has not spread anywhere else in the body. One thing to understand about the cancer is it grows slow and usually half the men over the age of 72 are diagnosed with it. Treatment for this stage is:

• Active surveillance
• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

If the cancer is more advanced currently there is not a treatment for curing the cancer. There is however treatments that will provide long term control such as:

• Hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery
• Radiation

Coping

Being told you have prostate cancer can not only be overwhelming, but can send stress levels through the roof. If you are having problems coping then seek professional help. Some useful tips are:

• When something is not understood ask for it to be repeated
• Learn more about the cancer
• Involve family with sorting through any information you receive
• Other patients can help with discussing the cancer and treatments so talk with them also

Find more information relating to Breast cancer, and breast cancer hospital here.