The most common type of cancer diagnosed in men is prostate cancer. The prostate is walnut-sized gland found only in men. According to the American Cancer Society, about 218,890 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2007 and about 27,050 men will die of prostate cancer. But the death rate is decreasing, perhaps in part because of early diagnosis.
In the early stages a patient may not exhibit any symptoms. However, after it is advanced, the patient may experience:
* Frequent urination
* A weak flow of urine
* Burning urination
* Painful ejaculation
* Blood in the urine semen.
A common test to detect prostate cancer requires a doctor to test the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. A digital rectal exam will tell a doctor if there are bumps in the prostate that may be cancerous.
It is recommended the men 50 and older should be screened yearly with both the digital rectal exam and blood testing. The American Cancer Society recommends that men at high risk be tested beginning at age 45. African Americans and those who have a close relative who was diagnosed before age 65 are considered to be at high risk.
Other risk factors for prostate cancer are:
* Age. According to the American Cancer Society, about two out of every three prostate cancer patients are men over 65.
* Diet. Diets high in red meat or high-fat dairy products seem to increase the risk. As with all cancers, diets that include low-fat meat and dairy produces and five or more servings of fruits and vegetables seem to decrease the risk.
Prostate cancer usually grows slowly so early diagnosis can save lives. Because it usually grows so slowly, many elderly men who have died were found to have had the disease and were not aware of it. Because of this, many doctors treat it by not treating it at all. This is called expectant management or watchful waiting. This may be recommended if it is not causing any symptoms and has not spread
Prostate cancer patients are often treated with traditional therapies such as radiation. Surgery may be recommended. Hormone therapy, where patients are given medications to reduce the number of male hormones in the body, has been recommended for some patients.
Treatments vary from patient. Factors in determining treatment include age, the stage of the cancer and the patient’s overall health.
If when the prostate cancer is found it is confined to the prostate or has only spread to nearby areas, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. If it has spread, the 5-year survival rate is about 33 percent. About ten percent of all related deaths in men are from prostate cancer.