Prostate Cancer

There are many different types of cancer, many of them publicized quite vocally, but there is one cancer that very often gets overlooked and doesn't get mentioned as often as it should, this cancer is cancer of the prostate.

Prostate cancer starts of by cells found in the prostate mutating and multiplying causing cancerous cells to develop in the prostate; the prostate is a gland that produces fluid to help carry semen during ejaculation in males.

Once the cancerous cells have taken control of the prostate they can find their way into other parts of the body, the most common places are parts of the bone structure and lymph nodes.

A person who has cancer would not know it unless they have had a prostate specific antigen test which is done by taking a blood sample or having a physical test, which is normally carried out by checking inside the rectum as the prostate sits against the rectums outer wall.

There are symptoms to watch out for that can be a sign of prostate cancer, although they can also be signs of other, less dangerous conditions. The symptoms you need to be aware of are

-- Pain while urinating

-- Difficulty urinating

-- Difficulty gaining or maintaining an erection (Erectile dysfunction)

-- Blood in the urine

-- Increased urination during the night

-- Urinating more frequently

The most common age group to be affected by prostate cancer is men aged over fifty years of age. The rate in which people are likely to become affected by prostate cancer varies greatly world wide, a demographic study has shown that the men most likely to suffer with prostate cancer are those from the United States of America, followed by men of European descent and the least likely to become affected are men of African and Asian descent.

There are treatments available to combat prostate cancer, some of these are more invasive than others, as you will find.

The first method of treatment is just active surveillance; this involves carefully monitoring the situation to see how quickly the cancer is growing. Active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting, is normally the treatment given when an older man is the person suffering and the more invasive treatments may have less benefits to the patient than the outcome.

A prostectomy is another treatment that can be done, although this requires invasive surgery and means removing the prostate. The problem with a prostectomy is the side affects a patient may have; these are impotence and urine incontinence. The incontinence is normally a small amount of leakage caused if a person laugh or sneezes, but the impotence is a constant issue.

Radiotherapy is sometimes used, this involves inserting small rods in the prostate that are charged with gamma rays (radiation) to kills the cancerous cells by damaging the DNA that is important in the growth of cancer cells. Radiotherapy is offered to men who cannot have surgery because they already suffer with other medical condition that makes surgery a risk to their health.

About the Author:
Mike Serovey is the owner and webmaster for http://www.mikeserovey.net where you can submit your articles for free.