Allcures :: Health-Info

What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a gland found in men being situated where the urethra meets the bladder. Prostate cancer occurs when a growth of abnormal blood cells gather in the gland causing a tumour.

Typically, prostate cancer is found in older men as it usually arises during middle age, and develops slowly often undetected until well advanced. With younger men, if the disease is not caught until it has spread to other parts of the body, there is no cure and death may follow within about five years after diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer?
There are no detectable symptoms of prostate cancer in its early stages. As the cancer develops, the symptoms are similar to those of an enlarged prostate, and are in fact due to the enlarging tumour. These include an increased frequency in urination, especially during the night, combined with a feeling that the bladder is not empty.

Another symptom is a burning or painful sensation when urinating, or being unable to urinate. If Cancer is present, then the above symptoms may be accompanied by:

· Unexplained weight loss

· A dull pain in the hip, pelvis, lower abdomen or back

· Lymph nodes which are enlarged

· The legs may swell as a result of blocked lymph nodes in the groin

The main complications during or following prostate cancer and its treatment are impotence and incontinence.

What are the Causes of Prostate Cancer?
It is not known what causes prostate cancer. Many men have an enlarged prostate in later life though this does not necessarily lead to prostate cancer. There are a number of predispositions which are thought might make a man more susceptible to the disease which includes:

1. Familial history

2. Being over 60

3. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s)

4. A high fat diet

5. Over exposure to chemicals which are thought to cause Cancer.

What Diagnosis for Prostate Cancer?
When any cancer is suspected, it is important that the exact location and size of the tumour is established, so that appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

There are a number of tests that can be done to help with diagnosis including: ultrasound, urinalysis, needle biopsy, bone scan, CT or MRI scans. As there are no easily detectable symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer, it is possible to screen men with a view to treating the disease early.

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is sometimes used to screen men of a certain age, or who have specific symptoms that may or may not be the result of prostate cancer.

What is the Treatment for Prostate Cancer?
The decision on how to treat prostate cancer is a difficult one. The options include: no treatment, just watching and waiting, medication, radiation or surgery. The decision, which is often jointly made by the medical practitioner and patient, may be influenced by:

· Age of the sufferer

· General health

· The size, location and type of Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that progresses slowly, and in older men particularly, treatment may not be thought necessary. Research into prostate cancer has long been overdue, and only recently has attention been drawn towards it.

Alternative Treatment:
The use of alternative therapies may be helpful in pain relief, ensuring good nutrition and to help deal with the associated stress of treatment. In particular, acupuncture and acupressure are both often effective in relieving pain and helping with relaxation.

Care at Home:
As with many diseases, it is possible to control symptoms and aid treatment by ensuring a healthy balanced diet, regular moderate exercise and avoiding becoming over tired.