Prostate cancer occurs on the gland when malignant cells form a tumor. You can also have a non-malignant tumor, so the presence of abnormal cells doesn’t always lead to or mean you have cancer.
Prostate cancer occurs on the gland when malignant cells form a tumor. You can also have a non-malignant tumor, so the presence of abnormal cells doesn’t always lead to or mean you have cancer.
In 2015, for every 100,000 men tested, doctors diagnosed 99 men with prostate cancer. Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is more prevalent and deadly than any other cancer. Early detection can be a key factor in defeating aggressive and non-aggressive types of the disease.
Doctors categorize cancer into two major types: aggressive and nonaggressive. Each type relates to how the tumor grows. Aggressive cancer, for example, multiplies rapidly and spreads to other areas of the body. Nonaggressive prostate cancer either doesn’t grow or does so slowly.
Noncancerous growths might not require treatment. However, your doctor and you should weigh the risks of removing it since these types of growths could develop into cancer or increase your risks.
• Urination issues, such as frequency, slower stream, or loss of pressure
• Loss of bladder and bowel function
• Blood present in semen and/or urine
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pain, weakness, or numbness in your feet or legs
• Pain in your hips, back, chest, and surrounding areas; discomfort can radiate outward in advanced cancer that’s spread
Many of these symptoms can coincide or present like other non-cancer conditions. It’s best to have your doctor perform a physical exam or blood tests to rule out other contributing factors too.
If you have any of the symptoms of prostate cancer or the medical conditions listed above, you should seek your health care provider for a proper diagnosis.
In some cases, the science doesn’t agree or needs additional research. However, enough evidence exists for doctors and scientists to inform the public of the additional risk factors associated with the list.
For example, eating red meat and being obese doesn’t mean you will have or get prostate cancer. They might place you in a higher risk category. At the same time, someone in a low-risk category, in perfect health, and following a healthy lifestyle can still have prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer has no early symptoms. By the time you have symptoms, if it’s indeed cancer, it could’ve already spread to other parts of your body.
Some men might not have actual symptoms until years after their initial diagnosis too. This is why screenings can be important since it allows doctors and you more freedom in how to treat your cancer.
For some, you’ll choose a wait-and-see approach while others will require immediate treatment. It largely depends on your age and the aggressiveness of present cancer.
Doctors at the American Cancer Society recommend screenings, which help identify prostate cancer in its earliest stage.
Prostate cancer screening isn’t without risks. However, with medical advances your testing options have expanded to include additional options:
Depending on your testing outcomes, your doctor might want to perform an MRI, CT, or a bone scan to determine whether you have cancer. In some cases, these tests show abnormalities in the prostate but you’re receiving the test for an unrelated condition.
A biopsy might also be necessary for proper diagnosis, which includes removing a tiny part of your prostate gland for a doctor to examine further. Your results receive a Gleason score, which pathologists use as a grading tool for cancer cells. The lower your number, the better your chances are that it’s not cancer.
If you receive a low Gleason score, your doctor might recommend repeating the test in another two years. At this point, they’ve ruled out prostate cancer as the cause of your symptoms.
Your doctor will speak with you about courses of treatment should your Gleason score return with a number of seven or higher.
There are no known ways to prevent prostate cancer fully. Age, race, and genetics play a major role.
You can take steps to lower your risk factors. A proper diet low in dairy and red meat consumption, daily exercise, and other lifestyle choices, such as quitting smoking, is a good place to start.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.