Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, affecting more than 230,000 men annually. If detected early the 5 year survival rate is almost 100%.
Symptoms
- Trouble passing urine
- Frequent urge to pass urine, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
Prostate cancer cells usually grow at a very slow rate, meaning it could take decades for the cancer cells to grow large enough to cause symptoms. However, left undetected and untreated, cancer cells may eventually spread beyond the prostate can through the body. This could lead to advanced prostate cancer, which is more difficult to treat. Beginning at the age of 50 it’s recommended that all men have an initial PSA (blood test) and digital rectal exam.*
Treatment
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer your physician will stage the disease, which determines the extent of the cancer and whether or not it has spread to other tissues or lymph nodes in the body. For some, their prostate cancer may be growing so slow that treatment is not needed. For others a prostatectomy, or removal of the prostate gland, will be needed.
*If you have a family history of prostate cancer consult with your physician on when you should be screened.