Prostate Cancer Symptoms Tips What is prostate cancer symptoms? We have tips about prostate cancer symptoms

How do we detect Prostate Cancer? The following are the most popular diagnostic procedures used by medical practitioners.

Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). The doctor touches the thin wall of the rectum to check for abnormalities in the prostate. As simple as it is, this seems to be the least reliable among the prostate tests, since only a part of the gland will be tested, thus, the result would not really speak for situation of the whole gland.

The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Test likewise could be as unreliable as DRE, since results can be influenced by many other factors and could not be solely relied upon by itself. A high PSA level, therefore, could not give us a conclusion that Prostate Cancer exists. Other tests must be conducted as well, to come up with an accurate diagnosis.

To detect prostate cancer on patients who have been pre-determined to be at a high risk of PA based on their DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) and/or PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) results, a Biopsy would likely be recommended by their doctors.

Biopsy (needle biopsy) is done by taking samples and having them examined under the microscope. This procedure, though highly invasive, is not really as conclusive as it may seem, since the sampling may insufficiently cover the prostate, which may cause failure in finding cancerous cells. Thus should there be any of these which are undetected, repeat biopsies should be done, which could mean more harm to the prostate

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the whole body is used to ascertain if a prostate cancer has spread beyond the prostate. This procedure is non-invasive, thus is less harmful. However, if repeatedly done, this could increase cancer risk as it exposes the patient to radiation.

All diagnostic tests have their disadvantages. The ones which could give us the closest result are also those who are more risky and which could give more harm to the body. Why do we have to undergo these tests? Would knowing the result change anything? Why not focus on improving the health of your prostate instead? Change your diet, work on your lifestyle, and take nutritional supplements to go wit h it.

As the old saying goes " Prevention is better than cure". You don't have to wait for your diagnostic test results or for symptoms to show before acting on it. Do it the natural way, and do it NOW.

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Although an increasing number of men are now diagnosed with asymptomatic prostate cancer, many men with this form of cancer have either locally advanced cancer or distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Because there are no current ways to prevent the development of prostate cancer it is important that early detection be used as a major emphasis to control this disease. While there are tests that may give an indication that prostate cancer is present only a biopsy can give a definitive diagnosis.

• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) - The prostate gland is nodular and fixed if cancer is present. While not the most favorite of exams for men it is important to have these done on a regular basis, particularly after the age of 40.

• Prostate-specific antigens (PSA) - Levels of PSA are used to diagnose and stage prostate cancer, and to monitor response to treatment. Normal levels of PSA are 10 ng/mL. Men with BPH will also have elevated PSA levels but two-thirds of those with a PSA greater than 10 ng/mL will have prostate cancer.

• Transrectal ultrasonography - This test is used when the digital rectal exam is abnormal or if the PSA is elevated.

• Prostate biopsy - This test must be performed and interpreted before the diagnosis of prostate cancer can be established. Either a needle biopsy or a TRUS-guided biopsy is performed.

• Grade and stage - This helps determine prognosis and guide treatment decisions. Grade, which refers to cancer cell differentiation, is determined by a pathologist. Prostate cancer can be staged with a variety of tests.

• Bone scan, MRI, or CT scans - These tests may be performed to determine the presence of tumor metastasis.

Several studies have shown a positive correlation between increased awareness of and participation in prostate cancer screening procedures. All men should be aware of the limitations and benefits of testing for early detection and treatment so they can make an informed decision about their own health care needs.

The American Cancer Society recommends that the PSA and DRE should be given every year starting at the age of 50. Men at a higher risk, such as men with a first degree relative diagnosed at a young age or men of African descent, should begin testing at the age of 45. Men at an even higher risk, such as multiple relatives with positive diagnosis's, should begin testing at the age of 40.

To learn more about Prostate Health please visit the website Prostate Health Answers by clicking here.

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Cancer is a condition that none of us would ever want to have. No matter how healthy you think you are, there is always that remote possibility that you would contract cancer. In the case of prostate cancer, men are obviously the ones that are affected. In this article, we would be discussing the basics of prostate cancer, it's most common signs and symptoms and the diagnostic procedures employed to identify the condition.

Cancer of the prostate gland happens when cancer cells develop in the prostate. This is a gland found at the bottom of the urinary bladder. A normal sized prostate would be around the size of a walnut. As men grow older, it is normal for the prostate to also enlarge. However, abnormal enlargement of the prostate that is caused by imbalances in the hormones is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. This is different from prostate cancer in a way that BPH can be operated on and does not metastasize. Treatment for prostate cancer would involve the use of surgery, chemotherapeutic drugs and/or radiation.

In prostate cancer, cancer cells gather in the area and slowly grow into a cancerous tumor. The cancer cells might have been there for a while before any symptoms become evident. However, not all symptoms are similar and not all cancer cells act the same way. There are those that proliferate fast, while there are others that progress more slowly. The aggressiveness of cancer growth can be measured by the Gleason Score.

Though both cancer of the prostate gland and benign prostatic hyperplasia increase the size of the prostate, medical findings state that they are not related. Factors that might predispose a person to getting prostate cancer would be the following: age, gender, genetics, race, hormones and exposure to toxins.

It is best to know which prostate cancer symptoms to watch out for so that you would be able to get consultation at the soonest time possible. A person with suspected prostate cancer would be found to have a hard nodule in the prostate area during a routine digital rectal exam. In some cases, where the cancer is in its advanced stages, the prostate may become too enlarged that they would impede the flow of urine. For others, they would notice blood in their urine, also called hematuria. This bleeding is painless, a very common sign of cancer. These are the most common symptoms of cancer and this usually prompts patients to seek consultation.

Screening for cancer of the prostate gland would involve getting blood work done. The technologist would be looking for the cancer marker PSA or prostate specific antigen. A result that is higher than 4ng/ml is usually observed in people with prostate cancer.

A digital rectal exam was mentioned earlier. During this exam, an enlarged prostate would be felt by the examiner, and this would prompt for further evaluation.

A biopsy is needed to make an accurate conclusion of prostate cancer. A tissue sample would be sent to the laboratory and they would be testing the sample for cancer cells.

In this day and age of increased pollution and free radicals, cancer is something that most of us are most prone to. It is best to get regular testing in order to spot the disease as soon as possible.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Hypothyroid Symptoms.

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