Important Information That Every Man Should Know About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that only affects men, as the prostate gland is only found in men. It's located below the bladder, just in front of the rectum, and is about the size of a walnut. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder, and it passes through the prostate gland. The gland is also crucial in a man's reproductive ability, because it contains cells the supply seminal fluid. This is the fluid that nourishes and protects the sperm. If the prostate gland fails to provide seminal fluids, then the fertility of male sperm cells is compromised.

As a boy grows into a man, the prostate grows as well. The amount of growth is dependent on the male hormones that feed the prostate. If the level of male hormones is low, then the prostate won't be able to grow to its full size. It's also possible, mostly in older men, for the section of the prostate that surrounds the urethra to continue to grow, and this causes a condition known as BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Because of the pressure on the urethra from the enlarged prostate, BPH causes problems with urination. It can be quite an uncomfortable condition, but it doesn't post any serious health threat to the sufferer.

Prostate cancer, on the other hand, can be fatal if left untreated or discovered too late. The prostate gland contains a variety of cell types, however the gland cells are where almost all prostate cancers originate. This is a slow growing cancer, and is known as prostate adenocarcinoma. It's not unusual for older men to have had this type of cancer for years, and not even know. It's not unknown for an older man to die and have an autopsy done, only to discover he had prostate cancer. It's possible for prostate cancer to be present for an extended period, and yet the sufferer may not display any of the common symptoms such as problems with urinating.

A great deal of research has been done into the causes of prostate cancer, but nobody really knows exactly how or why prostate cancer starts. Some doctors believe that tiny, often undetectable changes in the shape and size of the prostate glands are the beginning of prostate cancer. Where this type of change is detected in the prostate gland, it's referred to as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, or PIN. There are two levels of PIN - low grade (close to normal) or high grade. Any high-grade level of PIN is regarded as abnormal. If a biopsy shows the presence of high grade PIN, it's necessary to conduct further tests, as this could mean that there are cancer cells present in your prostate. Early detection is just as critical in prostate cancer as it is with most types of cancer, so it's important that further tests are conducted immediately.

Most of the time prostate cancer grows very slowly, but that's not always the case. Prostate cancer has been known to spread very quickly. There is still no way of knowing which types of cancer cells are likely to grow quickly and which slowly, even with all our modern technology. Deciding what makes some cancer cells grow faster than others is a question that still remains unanswered. It's also the case that most cancer cases are unique because the individual with the cancer is unique, and so care and management can vary enormously between patients.

For more important information regarding prostate cancer to include prostate cancer symptoms, prostate cancer treatment and prostate cancer diagnostic testing visit OnlineProstateHealthGuide.com located at http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com

 

Important Information That Every Man Should Know About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that only affects men, as the prostate gland is only found in men. It's located below the bladder, just in front of the rectum, and is about the size of a walnut. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder, and it passes through the prostate gland. The gland is also crucial in a man's reproductive ability, because it contains cells the supply seminal fluid. This is the fluid that nourishes and protects the sperm. If the prostate gland fails to provide seminal fluids, then the fertility of male sperm cells is compromised.

As a boy grows into a man, the prostate grows as well. The amount of growth is dependent on the male hormones that feed the prostate. If the level of male hormones is low, then the prostate won't be able to grow to its full size. It's also possible, mostly in older men, for the section of the prostate that surrounds the urethra to continue to grow, and this causes a condition known as BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Because of the pressure on the urethra from the enlarged prostate, BPH causes problems with urination. It can be quite an uncomfortable condition, but it doesn't post any serious health threat to the sufferer.

Prostate cancer, on the other hand, can be fatal if left untreated or discovered too late. The prostate gland contains a variety of cell types, however the gland cells are where almost all prostate cancers originate. This is a slow growing cancer, and is known as prostate adenocarcinoma. It's not unusual for older men to have had this type of cancer for years, and not even know. It's not unknown for an older man to die and have an autopsy done, only to discover he had prostate cancer. It's possible for prostate cancer to be present for an extended period, and yet the sufferer may not display any of the common symptoms such as problems with urinating.

A great deal of research has been done into the causes of prostate cancer, but nobody really knows exactly how or why prostate cancer starts. Some doctors believe that tiny, often undetectable changes in the shape and size of the prostate glands are the beginning of prostate cancer. Where this type of change is detected in the prostate gland, it's referred to as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, or PIN. There are two levels of PIN - low grade (close to normal) or high grade. Any high-grade level of PIN is regarded as abnormal. If a biopsy shows the presence of high grade PIN, it's necessary to conduct further tests, as this could mean that there are cancer cells present in your prostate. Early detection is just as critical in prostate cancer as it is with most types of cancer, so it's important that further tests are conducted immediately.

Most of the time prostate cancer grows very slowly, but that's not always the case. Prostate cancer has been known to spread very quickly. There is still no way of knowing which types of cancer cells are likely to grow quickly and which slowly, even with all our modern technology. Deciding what makes some cancer cells grow faster than others is a question that still remains unanswered. It's also the case that most cancer cases are unique because the individual with the cancer is unique, and so care and management can vary enormously between patients.

For more important information regarding prostate cancer to include prostate cancer symptoms, prostate cancer treatment and prostate cancer diagnostic testing visit OnlineProstateHealthGuide.com located at http://www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com

Food for Good Prostate Health

The prostate gland has a reputation as a health destroyer. Hypertrophy of the prostate gland, which affects nearly every elderly male, strangles the urethra. This troublesome condition makes urination difficult and increases the risk of bladder infections and kidney damage.

However, there are many good foods that may already be a part of your everyday diet that can help thwart the onset of prostate problems.

Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and red berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its cancer-battling ability. It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men.

Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body. It is also your ally in the battle against heart disease.

Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of cancer, including prostate. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate.

Foods rich in quercetin include apples, black and green tea, onions, raspberries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and cherries. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.

It is vital to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.

Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Prostate Cancer Information. To read more about prostate cancer prevention visit his site right now.

Early Symptoms Prostate Cancer: The Debate on Whether Diagnostic Testing Is Advisable at This Stage

Early symptoms prostate cancer is very rare. If the condition is at its earliest stage, chances are, there wouldn't be any sign at all. In majority of early stage cases, cancer in the prostate is often diagnosed accidentally either by prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test or a digital rectal examination (DRE) which could be part of a routine checkup. Because of the increased attention given to the disease, most men, especially those who are aged 45 and above, often go for routine tests to make sure that their prostate glands are in good health.

The use of tests to evaluate early symptoms prostate cancer became more common during the 1990s. Statistics have shown that death rates due to cancer of the prostate have declined following the increased use of these diagnostic methods. Despite their apparent usefulness, the scientific community has been divided on whether it is advisable for men to undergo such tests even with the absence of symptoms.

PSA and DRE methods have potential problems attached to them. For one, these screening techniques are not 100 percent accurate. A person's PSA level can become irregular due to reasons other than cancer. Medications and other health factors might cause this, which in turn could result to faulty evaluation. The DRE, primarily used to detect irregularities in the shape, texture and size of the prostate, might also be misinterpreted since the irregularities might be caused by other prostate conditions.

Several medical societies have advised against the use of routine testing during the early stages since inconclusive results might lead to anxiety or confusion. If the results are normal, a patient might get a false sense of security that could lead to neglect or eliminate caution all together. Furthermore, a man who gets a positive result from a PSA or DRE test might opt to get a biopsy despite the minor risks and discomfort associated with the process.

Some experts are recommending that routine examinations be offered to patients only if they are aged 50 and above. Except for men who belong to high risk groups, routine prostate cancer testing is not recommended to men who are below the age of 50. For high risk individuals, like those who have first degree relatives with prostate cancer, testing should be done as early as at age 45. Yearly monitoring is also recommended to these individuals since their chances of having the condition are higher than the ordinary man.

Before deciding on whether to get a PSA or a DRE test to confirm early symptoms prostate cancer, factors such as age and health should be considered. If a man is young and is genetically predisposed, then early tests are recommended since he would have a better chance of treating the disease if it is caught early. If a patient is old and in poor health, then he needs to discuss his options first with his physician. There might not be any need for tests since prostate cancer is a slow developing condition. It might not become a problem and the person might even die of other causes before it can even impact his life.

Mensglands.com provides you with info on early symptoms prostate cancer, its treatments and symptoms and how to overcome or reduce the risk of getting it. http://www.mensglands.com/