Prostate cancer, also referred to as the male reproductive organ cancer, is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men 50 and older, behind skin cancer. This life-threatening disease affects more than 3 million men in the U.S. per year.
However, prostate cancer can be fatal, with a five–year survival rate of 98%, it can often be treated successfully by medical professionals if detected early.
BY: GUY JABBAR
Managing your daily life with prostate cancer can be emotionally draining for you and your family.
The challenges that come with this disease can be both physical and emotional to your health.
Additionally, with the help of your loved ones and knowledgeable doctors, you can live a long healthy life with the proper prostate cancer treatment.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland (prostate gland), a part of the male reproductive system in males. It normally grows bigger as you get older.
This gland sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine (pee) out of the body.
According to Dr. Himabindu Sreenivasulu, the prostate’s main function is to produce a fluid that becomes part of semen, the liquid that carries sperm during ejaculation.
This fluid helps nourish and protect sperm, increasing their chances of successfully fertilizing an egg.
Dr. Sreenivasulu adds, “The prostate gland is influenced by hormones, particularly testosterone, and its role in reproductive health is crucial for the male reproductive system’s overall functioning.”
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: African American men are at higher risk for prostate cancer than any men of other ethnicities. Women also can develop prostate cancer. However, cancer of the female prostate is extremely rare.
Here’s 10 warning signs of prostate cancer in men that you should know. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to see your doctor as soon as possibly:
- Trouble urinating
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Urinating frequently, especially at night
- Trouble emptying the bladder completely
- Pain or burning during urination
- Bone pain
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away
- Experience weight loss
- Erectile dysfunction
BONUS: The stoppage of urination functions (Acute Urinary Retention), causing you the inability to urinate (pee). If this happens, it is extremely advisable to visit your local emergency room.
If prostate cancer is left untreated, it may grow (enlarged prostate) and possibly spread out of the prostate gland to the local tissues or distant sites such as:
The liver, lungs, and also damage your kidneys.
It may also spread to the bones and cause pain and broken bones.
If you choose not to treat prostate cancer, it can eventually be fatal.
How to prevent prostate cancer?
There are no definite methods to prevent prostate cancer. However, you can reduce the risk by following certain precautionary measures such as:
- Healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Reduce fatty food consumption
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
NOTE: It’s also possible to develop prostatitis, also known as: prostate inflammation. This is a condition resulting from inflammation or swelling of the prostate gland.
Bottom Line
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among American men.
Prostate related problems affect 1 in 2 men, particularly African American men. However, there’s steps to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Medical experts urge every man over 40 to take action immediately and do this to shrink an enlarged and protect their prostate and kidneys. To learn more on how you can protect your prostate click here.
