What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is an organ found only in males positioned just below the bladder and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. The major function of the prostate is to produce  fluids that nourishes and transports sperms.

This organ called the prostate gland is more likely to develop cancer. Cancer occurs when cells in the body start to grow without control.

 Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer cells, and can then spread to other parts of the body.

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate gland. It is one of the most common types of cancer in males. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may require minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can vastly spread to other parts of the body.

Some of the signs of prostate cancer include.

• Frequent urination.

• Weak or interrupted urine flow or the need to strain to empty the bladder.

• Frequent urge to urinate at night.

• Blood in the urine.

• New onset of erectile dysfunction.

• Pain or burning during urination, which is much less common.

• Discomfort or pain when sitting, caused by an enlarged prostate.

• Back pain and bone pain if cancer have spread.

Risk factors for prostate cancer include:

1. Age- common in the elderly usually above 50years 

2. Race- blacks have a high risk of having aggressive and advanced prostate cancer 

3. Family history- previous history of prostate cancer or breast cancer has shown an increased risk of having prostate cancer. 

How to know you have prostate cancer? 

Prostate cancer sometimes in its early stages one is asymptomatic and difficult to tell if they have prostate cancer.

 Even with symptoms above one cannot tell alone with that as other prostate diseases might have similar symptoms.

 

If one suspects or have symptoms above should consult a doctor to have a physical examination and investigations done to assess if they have prostate cancer.

 Treatment can be started early and the type of treatment to be administered one will discuss with their doctor.

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