Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among American men.
Cancer is a disease characterized by the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells, which may invade healthy cells in the body.
As its name suggests, prostate cancer is one that starts in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland in men that’s located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
The prostate surrounds the urethra and produces prostate fluid, which is part of semen.
Prostate cancer often progress very slowly, though in some cases it can be quite aggressive.
In its early stages, it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms.
However, there are numerous possible symptoms in the later stages of the disease, including urination issues, painful ejaculation, and constant pain in the back, hips, or pelvis.
Prevalence and Demographics
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, affecting one in seven men (about 14 percent), according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Though only one in 38 men will die from the disease, it’s second only to lung cancer in terms of cancer deaths among men.
Prostate cancer doesn’t affect all races and ethnicities equally.
How Prostate Cancer Develops
Various genes oversee the life and death of cells.
For instance, oncogenes help direct the growth and division of cells, while tumor suppressor genes play a key role in keeping cell division in check and promoting apoptosis, or programmed cell death.
Changes or mutations in the DNA of prostate cells may alter the expression or behavior of these and other genes, causing the cells to stay alive longer than they should, and experience accelerated growth and division.
These abnormal cells accumulate to form a tumor, which can invade nearby tissue. The cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body, or metastasize, causing cancer in other tissues.
Though there are several types of cells in the prostate, almost all prostate cancers develop from gland cells, which produce the prostate fluid.
It’s unknown what, exactly, causes the DNA mutations in cells that can lead to prostate cancer.
However, scientists have identified risk factors for the disease.
RISK FACTORS
Prostate cancer appears to run in families, suggesting a hereditary basis for some cancer development. Men are two to three times more likely to develop prostate cancer if they have fathers, brothers, or sons who have prostate cancer, according to the CDC. Other probable risk factors include obesity and a diet high in saturated fat.
TESTS
Digital Rectal Examination for Prostate Problems
A digital rectal exam is an early, simple test to screen for prostate cancer. It can catch the disease early, when it’s most treatable.
Prostate -Specific Antigen Blood Test: Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
When the results of this blood test are high, it may indicate cancer. This will be followed by your Practitioner or by a Urologist if referred.
Prostate Ultrasound and Biopsy to Diagnose Prostate Cancer
After an abnormal digital rectal exam or a high PSA your doctor may suggest a closer look. A referral to a Urologist will be done and he/she will perform biopsies of the prostate.