Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among men in North America. 80% of men over 80 will get prostate cancer. The prostate is a chestnut size gland which produces proteins and fluids to carry sperm upon ejaculation. Usually, there are no obvious signs or symptoms of prostate cancer, at least not when it is in the early stages. The cure rate is very high when it is in the beginning stages, so early detection is crucial. Treatment in the T-1 and T-2 stages has a 90% or better cure rate, so it is important to know how to take control of your prostate health and what to look for.
All men over theage of 50 should get annual screening, unless there is a history of prostate cancer in the family, at which point they should start screening at 40. The only reliable way to way to determine if prostate cancer exists is by visiting your doctor for a screening. Screening can be a relatively simple procedure which usually begins with a digital rectal examination. Your doctor will check your prostate by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum. The prostate in located below the bladder, in front of the rectum, so your doctor will be able to feel the prostate via the rectum to check for tumors. The other form of screening is a PSA or prostate-specific antigen test. The PSA test gives a reading of protein made by the prostate. A low PSA level of less than 4 ng/mL, would usually mean no further testing is required. If the PSA Levels are high, or rise over time, then your urologist will want to evaluate further.
If the tests lead your physician to suspect that prostate cancer may be indicated, a biopsy will likely be performed. This is the only sure way to diagnose prostate cancer. A local anesthetic is generally given, then an ultrasound probe is inserted to check for abnormalities. A biopsy needle is inserted to take 6 to 12 tissue samples, which are then viewed under a microscope. The tissue samples are compared to normal prostate samples, then given a Gleason score of 1 to 5, with 1 being close to normal and 5 being highly abnormal. Your doctor will determine the stage of the cancer and how far the cancer has spread. High PSA scores indicate a more aggressive cancer, with tumors more likely to grow and spread to other organs. The risk category and the need for treatment will be determined by the size and extent of the tumors, combined with the PSA levels and Gleason score.
Treatment options will vary depending on the risk category. Your age, health, race and family history will also be taken into consideration when determining the best course of action, so it is wise to research your options and discuss them with your urologist. For organ confined prostate cancer, one of the best prostate cancer treatment options is HIFU, which minimizes the possibility of risks and complications, including impotency and incontinence. HIFU is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, where ultrasound waves are used to destroy the cancer tumors. A specially trained physician uses a computer guided Ablatherm HIFU probe which targets the tumors with pinpoint accuracy, without damaging surrounding organs or tissues. Get an annual prostate exam for early detection and learn more about the HIFU prostate cancer treatment if you are diagnosed with the disease. A healthy lifestyle and regular check ups are essential for men over the age of 50, as prostate cancer is the leading cancer for men in North America.
Nancy Stonecutter is a nurse who writes about family and child care. Visit her blog at http://www.nancythenurse.wordpress.com/ for more information.
