Prostate is part of the reproductive system in men. This gland sits near the bladder and the urethra. It is responsible for the production of seminal fluid which is released during ejaculation.
Much like any organ in the body, prostate can also get attacked by the cancerous cells. In fact, prostate cancer has some of the highest cancer rates in the world.
The good news is that there are successful screening mechanisms in place that can allow the Best Urologist in Lahore to diagnose the cancer in fairly early stage, where the prognosis of the disease is much better.
Alongside getting screening tests, it is also vital for men to know facts about prostate cancer so that they are more aware.
Things you should know about prostate cancer
It does not present symptoms in the early stage
One of the reasons why some cancers are especially dangerous is because they don’t present any symptoms in the earlier stages. Prostate cancer is one such type that can only be diagnosed because of screening in the initial phase of the disease, and not otherwise.
There are different types of prostate cancers
Depending on where precisely the cancer grows, it can be categorized accordingly. For example, the more common type of prostate cancer, adenocarcinoma, grows in the tissue of the gland, but there are other types as well like small cell carcinoma etc.
Furthermore, prostate cancer is also categorized as per the speed of the cancer. If it grows fast, it is known as aggressive or fast-growing cancer. Conversely, it can also be slow-proceeding cancer, known as nonaggressive or slow-growing cancer.
The risk factors for prostate cancer
While virtually anyone can get cancer, some people are more at risk of the condition.
Men who have a family or personal history of prostate cancer, or other cancers, older men, those who are obese are more likely to get prostate cancer. Similarly, some races and ethnicities also have greater odds of getting the disease. People with mutation in the BRCA gene also have greater chances of contracting prostate cancer.
The symptoms of prostate cancer
There are some symptoms that can present during the state of the disease, however, they are not exclusive to prostate cancer. Hence, whenever accosted with these issues, it is best to visit the doctor instead of drawing conclusions yourself and panicking.
One sign of prostate cancer is problems with urination since it sits closely with the bladder and the urethra. It can cause presence of blood in the urine, issues of frequent urination alongside a weak stream.
Similarly, the cancer can also cause issues with bladder and bowel control in case it spreads to the spine. It may also lead to pain and numbness that reverberates to the legs.
Similarly, since the gland is also a par to the reproductive system, therefore, cancer can affect that aspect as well. If there is blood in the ejaculate, then it is a sign of something being amiss. Prostate cancer can cause men to get erectile dysfunction as well in some cases.
The chances of survival with prostate cancer are good
Despite the prevalence of prostate cancer, it is still considered to be a type of less fatal cancer. Of course, the chances are also contingent on other factors like the stage of the disease, your health otherwise, whether it has spread to other parts of the body or not, but it does have a decent survival rate.
The diagnosis mechanism
There are multiple tests that the doctor might run to ascertain a case of prostate cancer, including PSA test, rectal exam, biopsy, and imaging tests.
Talking to your doctor about screening
The risk for cancer increases with age. You should therefore, apart from knowing the important facts, also consider talking to your Urologist about when you should get screened for prostate cancer alongside following other protocols.
