›› Prostate Cancer
According to the
Prostate Cancer Foundation, this type of cancer is the most prevalent
non-skin cancer in the United States. A man is diagnosed with prostate
cancer every three minutes, and one dies every seventeen minutes. It is
the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men second to lung
cancer. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 70% of
diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men over the age of 65. These
two organizations, as well as others are working toward increasing
public awareness and making screenings more readily available to all
populations. Research
In order to catch prostate cancer in its early stages, it is
recommended that men with no risk factors get an annual screening every
year beginning at age 50. If there is a relative, such as a father or
brother who has been diagnosed, then the recommended age to begin
prostate screening is 45. In men with at an even higher risk, such as
African American men and those with a higher familial incidence,
routing screening should begin at age 40. For many men, it may be more
embarrassing than uncomfortable to initiate and undergo a rectal
examination or blood PSA test.
Prostate cancer usually exhibits no symptoms and the only way it can be
detected is through a rectal prostate exam or a blood PSA
screening. The Prostate Cancer Foundation reports that if
signs are present, they may be subtle and attributed to other causes,
such as, painful or difficult urination, urinary frequency, painful
ejaculation, difficulty obtaining an erection, blood in urine or semen,
and pain or stiffness below the waist and above the knees.
There are different treatment regimens available for prostate cancer,
such as hormonal treatment or chemotherapy, depending on to which stage
the cancer has progressed, whether it is localized, recurrent, or
metastatic. The physician may even recommend no treatment depending on
the individual situation, and what the patient feels is best for him. A
second or even third opinion should be sought regarding the diagnosis
and proposed treatment plan, for peace of mind that whatever path
chosen is the right one. Cancer can be very scary to many people,
creating a great deal of stress. When newly diagnosed, patients may
have difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings to their
physician as well as their loved ones, and they should be encouraged to
seek spiritual and/or psychological counseling to help them accept the
situation for what it is and deal with it in a healthy manner.
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A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
