While the real causes of prostate cancer are still unknown, there are several factors that could be identified that are likely to be the reason for this type of cancer. One of these factors is age, the older a man is the higher the risk of getting prostate cancer. Another risk factor is race. It appears that African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer symptoms can only be experienced when the patient has developed the cancer in a larger scale already. The only other way to detect prostate cancer in an early state is having a screening examination.
Once you detect a change in your urine flow like interrupted flow or the desire to urinate very often then you could suffer from the symptoms of prostate cancer already. Other symptoms are blood in the urine or a pain in the hips and thighs.
It could be a matter of life or dead to detect the cancer as early as possible. The earlier the treatment starts the greater the chances of survival. Prostate cancer can be cured but only when it hasn't spread too much already.
The doctor will also put his digit into the rectum to feel any lumps in the prostate. If he finds any abnormalities, the doctor will order an blood test to find out if a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is in the blood. While low amounts of PSA are ok, a high amount of PSA is a strong sign for cancer.
A trans rectal ultrasound examination is another option. This painless method gives a good picture of the gland within 20 minutes.
A biopsy is needed once the above tests indicate the occurrence of cancer. That means that the doctor must take a small sample of the tissue by using a needle. The sample is then checked under a microscope and if the sample is cancerous it is an exact diagnosis. The biopsy itself is a quick and rather painless method to diagnose prostate cancer.
Once the cancer is detected, the doctor must find out how much it has spread already. An x-ray can show if the cancer has reached the lungs already. A computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can also make internal organs visible.
Once prostate cancer is diagnosed the treatment must start immediately. There are several different treatment options but still the surgery is the most effective way to totally remove the cancer. The treatment will need a team of doctors, an urologist, a surgeon and an oncologist. The surgery is not without risks and side effects so that some prefer alternative ways.
If treatment has started early enough then the prognosis is good. It is possible that the cancer could be completely removed. Statistics say that after five years more than 95% of men are still alive. The prognosis goes down significantly below 30% survival rate if the cancer was detected late.
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