Humans are very susceptible to ailments and diseases and many of them start within the body. According to a study conducted by Jansenn, a pharmaceutical company, Prostate cancer is on the rise in the Asia Pacific region. The study showed that Prostate cancer will become a major health issue in the coming years.
Older men experience enlarge prostates and have a greater risk of prostate problems due to hormonal changes.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer usually begins in the gland cells and is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
Facts you need to know about Prostate Cancer
It is common
According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death after lung cancer. The Prostate Cancer Foundation says that 3 million American men are currently living with prostate cancer, and more than 27,000 die from the disease each year.
It can be prevented, and early screening is recommended
It is a slow-growing cancer and is relatively benign.Early detection can have a cure rate of 99%. It has been proven that screening and early detection are saving lives. It is recommended that you speak to your doctor on when to start screening. Typically, the standard screening begins at age 50. Depending on your family history and other potential risk factors, screening may begin as early as age 40.
Prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms in its early stages.
Often, symptoms can be attributed to other things, like prostatitis. A more advanced prostate cancer may show signs and symptoms such as:
- Trouble urinating
- Decreased force in the stream of urine
- Blood in semen
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Bone pain
- Erectile dysfunction
Consult your physician should you experience any of these symptoms.
It doesn’t always require surgery
Once diagnosed with prostate cancer, the risk level is determined using a tool called Gleason Scale. A patient with a Gleason score of 6 or less is considered low risk, 7 is intermediate and 8 to 10 is high risk.
For those with low-risk cancers, there’s a good chance cancer will grow so slowly that they won’t need treatment in their lifetime. Instead of treatment, the doctor may recommend regular monitoring such as: regular PSA tests and biopsies to ensure the cancer doesn’t get more aggressive.
Lifestyle changes will have an impact
The best lifestyle changes men can have to improve their prostate health are ones that improve overall health:
- quitting smoking
- maintaining a healthy weight
- eating a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in red meats and full-fat dairy products.
