Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer Overview

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 52,300 new cases diagnosed each year. It develops in the prostate, a small gland in the pelvis in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Understanding prostate cancer, its symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection can help manage and treat this disease effectively.                                                

Understanding Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and may not cause any problems or symptoms for years. In many cases, men with prostate cancer die of other causes without ever knowing they have the disease. However, in certain cases, it can be more aggressive and requires immediate treatment.                                 

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In its early stages, prostate cancer may not show symptoms. As it progresses, it can cause signs and symptoms such as:            

• Difficulty urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine
• Blood in semen
• Discomfort in the pelvic area
• Bone pain
• Erectile dysfunction

It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than prostate cancer, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.           

Risk Factors.

Key risk factors for prostate cancer include:

• Age
  • Risk increases after age 50, and most cases are diagnosed in men over 65.
• Family History
  • A family history of prostate cancer can raise a man’s risk, especially if a brother or father had the disease.
• Ethnicity
  • Black men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men of other races and are more likely to develop aggressive or advanced prostate cancer at a younger age

Treatment Options

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the individual case, including the stage and grade of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Options include:

• Watchful Waiting or Active Surveillance
  
  • Monitoring for changes in prostate cancer that is considered low risk.
• Surgery
  • Removal of the prostate gland in eligible patients
• Radiation Therapy: 
  
  • Using radiation to target and kill cancerous cells.
• Radiation Therapy: 
  
  • Using radiation to target and kill cancerous cells.
• Hormone Therapy
  
  • Blocking hormone production that stimulates cancer growth.
• Chemotherapy: 
  
  • Using drugs to kill rapidly growing cells, including cancer cells.
• Targeted Therapy: 
  
  • Drugs or other substances that precisely identify and attack cancer cells.

 Cancer Portal

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